Iranian military mocks Trump’s claim of US-Iran negotiations

Iran rejects US ceasefire plan, issues its own demands as strikes land across the Mideast 1 of 9 | The plan was submitted to Iran by intermediaries from Pakistan, who have offered to host renewed negotiations between Washington and Tehran. It comes as the U.S. military is preparing to deploy at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East in the coming days, according to three people with knowledge of the move who spoke on condition of anonymity. 2 of 9 | A huge plume of smoke billowed over Kuwait International Airport on Wednesday following a drone attack by Iran. Kuwait said it shot down multiple drones but one hit a fuel tank at Kuwait International Airport, sparking a fire, the General Civil Aviation Authority said. 3 of 9 | An Iranian military spokesperson mocked U.S. attempts at a ceasefire deal Wednesday, insisting that the Americans were only negotiating with themselves. 4 of 9 | Press secretary Karoline Leavitt says US and Iran are in ongoing talks, even as Tehran denies it. Leavitt stresses that more strikes could come if they’re unsuccessful. “Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before,” she says. 5 of 9 | First responders inspect a destroyed car at the site of a residential building hit in an overnight strike during the U.S.-Israeli military campaign in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, northwestern Iran, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Matin Hashemi) 6 of 9 | Smoke rises from Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike on fuel storage in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Friday, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo) 7 of 9 | This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows damage after airstrikes targeting Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, Iran, March 7, 2026. (Planet Labs PBC via AP) 8 of 9 | Firefighters look on as volunteers and first responders inspect the rubble and search for victims at a residential building hit in an overnight strike during the U.S.-Israeli military campaign in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, northwestern Iran, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Matin Hashemi) 9 of 9 | Dog salon workers take cover with the dogs in a bomb shelter as air raid sirens warn of incoming Iranian missile strikes in Ramat Gan, Israel, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) 1 of 9 The plan was submitted to Iran by intermediaries from Pakistan, who have offered to host renewed negotiations between Washington and Tehran. It comes as the U.S. military is preparing to deploy at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East in the coming days, according to three people with knowledge of the move who spoke on condition of anonymity. Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. 2 of 9 A huge plume of smoke billowed over Kuwait International Airport on Wednesday following a drone attack by Iran. Kuwait said it shot down multiple drones but one hit a fuel tank at Kuwait International Airport, sparking a fire, the General Civil Aviation Authority said. Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. 3 of 9 An Iranian military spokesperson mocked U.S. attempts at a ceasefire deal Wednesday, insisting that the Americans were only negotiating with themselves. Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. 4 of 9 Press secretary Karoline Leavitt says US and Iran are in ongoing talks, even as Tehran denies it. Leavitt stresses that more strikes could come if they’re unsuccessful. “Trump will ensure they are hit harder than they have ever been hit before,” she says. Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. 5 of 9 First responders inspect a destroyed car at the site of a residential building hit in an overnight strike during the U.S.-Israeli military campaign in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, northwestern Iran, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Matin Hashemi) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. 6 of 9 Smoke rises from Kuwait International Airport after a drone strike on fuel storage in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Friday, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. 7 of 9 This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows damage after airstrikes targeting Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, Iran, March 7, 2026. (Planet Labs PBC via AP) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. 8 of 9 Firefighters look on as volunteers and first responders inspect the rubble and search for victims at a residential building hit in an overnight strike during the U.S.-Israeli military campaign in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, northwestern Iran, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Matin Hashemi) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. 9 of 9 Dog salon workers take cover with the dogs in a bomb shelter as air raid sirens warn of incoming Iranian missile strikes in Ramat Gan, Israel, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran on Wednesday dismissed an American plan to pause the war in the Middle East and launched more attacks on Israel and Gulf Arab countries, including strikes that hit a fuel tank at Kuwait International Airport, sparking a fire.Iran’s defiance came as Israel launched airstrikes on Tehran and as the United States deployed paratroopers and more Marines to the region. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview on state TV that his government has not engaged in talks to end the war, “and we do not plan on any negotiations.” That followed a report from Iranian state TV’s English-language broadcaster quoting an anonymous official as saying Iran rejected America’s ceasefire proposal and has its own demands to end the fighting.Earlier, two officials from Pakistan, which transmitted the U.S. plan to Iran, described the 15-point proposal broadly, saying it addressed sanctions relief, a rollback of Iran’s nuclear program, limits on missiles and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil is shipped. An Egyptian official involved in the mediation efforts said the proposal also includes restrictions on Iran’s support for armed groups. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet released. President Donald Trump, speaking at a fundraiser Wednesday night in Washington, insisted that Iran still wants to cut a deal. “They are negotiating, by the way, and they want to make a deal so badly, but they’re afraid to say it because they figure they’ll be killed by their own people,” said Trump, who added: “They’re also afraid they’ll be killed by us.”Iran has long insisted it won’t discuss its ballistic missile program or its support of regional militias, which it views as key to its security. And its ability to control passage through the Strait of Hormuz represents one of its biggest strategic advantages. AP AUDIO: Iran receives a US ceasefire plan, officials say, as strikes batter the Middle East AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports the Trump administration has reportedly offered Iran a ceasefire plan even as it steps up military deployments to the region. Iran’s attacks on regional energy infrastructure, along with its restrictions on the strait, have sent oil prices skyrocketing, putting pressure on the U.S. to find a way to end the chokehold and calm markets. More U.S. troops are on the way to the Middle EastAt least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division will be sent to the Mideast in the coming days, three people with knowledge of the plans told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans.The paratroopers are trained to jump into hostile or contested areas to secure key territory and airfields.The Pentagon is also sending about 5,000 more Marines trained in amphibious assaults and thousands of sailors to the region. Most Americans believe the U.S. military action against Iran has gone too far and many are worried about the cost of gasoline, according to a new AP-NORC poll.The survey indicates that while Trump’s approval rating is holding steady, the conflict could be swiftly turning into a major political liability for his Republican administration. Diplomatic efforts face major challengesMediators are pushing for possible in-person talks between the Iranians and the Americans, perhaps as soon as Friday in Pakistan, the Egyptian and Pakistani officials said.Trump has said the U.S. is “in negotiations right now” and that the participants include special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance. Trump has not identified anyone from Iran taking part.Press TV, the English-language broadcaster on Iranian state television, cited an Iranian five-point proposal that includes a halt to killings of its officials, safeguards against future attacks on Iran, reparations for the war, the end of hostilities and Iran’s “exercise of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.” Those measures, particularly reparations and its continued chokehold over the Strait of Hormuz, likely will be unacceptable to the White House.While Iran and Oman both have territory in the strait, its narrow shipping channels are viewed as international waters through which all ships can travel.Any talks between the U.S. and Iran would face monumental challenges. It’s not clear who in Iran’s government has the authority and willingness to negotiate .Iran remains highly suspicious of the United States, which twice under the Trump administration has attacked during high-level diplomatic talks, including when the war began on Feb. 28. Israel launches new strikes on Iran — and also comes under attackThe Israeli military said Wednesday it had carried out waves of airstrikes in Tehran, following strikes a day earlier targeting an Iranian submarine development center in Isfahan.Missile alert sirens sounded in Israel as Iran and the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon launched attacks. Hezbollah has fired rockets into northern Israel around the clock since the war began.Iran also kept up pressure on its Gulf Arab neighbors. Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said it had destroyed at least eight drones in its oil-rich Eastern Province, and missile alert sirens sounded in Bahrain. Kuwait said it shot down multiple drones but that one hit a fuel tank at Kuwait International Airport. Meanwhile, six people allegedly linked to Hezbollah were arrested in Kuwait for planning to assassinate Gulf leaders, Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior said in a statement. Fourteen associates had fled the country, officials said. More than 1,500 people have been killed in Iran, its Health Ministry says. Israel says 20 people have died in the war, including two soldiers in Lebanon. At least 13 U.S. military members have been killed. More than a dozen civilians in the occupied West Bank and Gulf Arab states have also died.Nearly 1,100 people have died in Lebanon, authorities said. In Iraq, where Iranian-supported militant groups have entered the conflict, 80 members of the security forces have been killed.Energy prices fall back but remain highThe news of potential negotiations drove down the price of oil. Brent crude oil, the international standard, was trading around $100 a barrel Wednesday, after nearing as high as $120 earlier last week. That’s still up around 35% from the start of the war. Economists and leaders have warned of far-reaching effects if energy prices remain high — from rising prices on food and other basics to higher rates for mortgages and auto loans. Iran has allowed a small number of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but has said no ships from the U.S., Israel or countries seen as linked to them can pass.___This story was first published on March 25, 2026. It was updated on March 26, 2026, to correct the death toll reported by Israel. Israel reported 20 deaths related to the war, including two in Lebanon, not 20 deaths in Israel.___Madhani reported from Washington, Corder from The Hague, Netherlands, and Ahmed from Islamabad. Associated Press writers Samy Magdy in Cairo, Natalie Melzer in Tel Aviv, Israel, Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad and Nicholas Riccardi in Washington contributed to this report. Gambrell is the news director for the Gulf and Iran for The Associated Press. He has reported from each of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Iran and other locations across the world since joining the AP in 2006. Corder is a reporter in the Netherlands who covers international courts in The Hague, Dutch politics, news and sport. He has worked at The AP for more than 30 years, including seven years in Australia covering the Asia-Pacific region. Madhani covers the White House for The Associated Press. He is based in Washington.