Iranhas reportedly amended its 14-point proposal and sent it to Washington via Pakistan mediation channels, in a bid to move further in achieving a lasting peace in the Middle East, as the region has been in a state of war since February 28. Prior to this, the two sides had met in Pakistan in the much-touted Islamabad talks, but the negotiations ended without any concrete outcome. After the failed Islamabad talks, the two sides have been engaging in indirect and back-channel talks to work out a way for peace, but all these efforts have not paved the way to achieve the final goal, as control of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear program, including its enriched uranium reserves, missile development program, freezing of Iranian assets, and sanctions on its oil trade, remain non-negotiable to either side.

However, even as efforts continue, as per reports, Iran on Monday delivered an amended 14-point proposal through Pakistani mediation to the American, Reuters reported quoting Iranian Tasnim News Agency, even as negotiations between the US and Iran are deadlocked.

Further according to reports, US sent a text in response to Iran's previous text - which was also presented in 14 points - adding that the new text was presented "after making amendments."

The text in the amended proposal lay emphasizes on building confidence and ending the war by the American side.

The state-affiliated media outlet further highlighted that the primary objective driving the Iranian administration's diplomatic strategy is "to end the war and build trust" among the stakeholders involved.

Providing a critical domestic context to this secret 14-point diplomatic push, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday strongly defended Tehran's decision to pursue direct negotiations with the United States. He declared that dialogue conducted "with dignity" is an absolute necessity, while simultaneously stressing that Iran will continue defending its national rights.

According to the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), President Pezeshkian made these crucial remarks during a high-profile public relations gathering of executive agencies titled "Iranian Narrators".

Iranian President on Hardline Domestic Critics

Taking a firm stance against hardline domestic critics who oppose any diplomatic re-engagement with Washington, President Pezeshkian argued that isolating the country from the negotiating table is completely counterproductive. "It is not logical to say that we will not negotiate," the President said.

Confronting the internal political opposition directly, President Pezeshkian challenged the alternative to diplomacy. "They chant that we shouldn't engage in dialogue--what should we do if we don't talk? Fight until the bitter end? It's not logical to say we won't engage in dialogue; we engage in dialogue with dignity," he said.

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