Five conditions

Iran presented a five-condition counterproposal in response to the 15-point American plan: end of aggression by the enemy, concrete guarantees preventing the recurrence of war, clear determination of responsibilities, guaranteed payment of war reparations, and a comprehensive end to the war across all fronts including against allied resistance groups, with recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

The first three conditions were already in Pezeshkian's proposal of March 11. The two new ones are significant. Demanding an end to war "across all fronts" implies any agreement must include the cessation of Israeli hostilities against Hezbollah in Lebanon, against pro-Iranian militias in Iraq, and possibly against Hamas. In other words, Iran is asking to negotiate as a bloc: either everything ends or nothing does. Recognition of sovereignty over Hormuz is the formalisation of what is already happening in practice: Iran controls who passes and who does not.

Araghchi said Iran chooses "resistance" and will end the war "on its own terms". Trump demands unconditional surrender. Iran asks for recognition, reparations and sovereignty. The five conditions are not a negotiating starting point. They are the position of a country that believes it can impose sufficient costs to change its adversary's calculus. As long as Hormuz remains closed and missiles keep reaching Tel Aviv, that belief is not irrational.