US presents 15-point Iran deal as troops deploy to Middle East

The United States has put forward a 15-point proposal aimed at resolving the conflict with Iran, according to US media reports. The New York Times detailed that the plan would require Tehran to halt all uranium enrichment on its soil, decommission enrichment facilities, and establish a free navigation zone in the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative comes as Washington signals both diplomatic engagement and military readiness.

Military buildup and rhetoric

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth adopted a combative tone, stating: “We are negotiating with bombs.” The Pentagon is preparing to deploy a brigade combat team from the 82nd Airborne Division, comprising approximately 3,000 soldiers, to the Middle East. Fox News reported that the division’s commander and senior headquarters staff have received orders to move, a step seen as preliminary to a full deployment. The Wall Street Journal confirmed that deployment orders are expected imminently. US officials are reportedly considering operational plans involving potential incursions or the seizure of strategically vital Kharg Island.

Iran’s retaliation and nuclear site strike

Iran launched a new wave of retaliatory missile strikes against Israel, with one projectile hitting the city of Bnei Brak, wounding at least seven people and causing extensive property damage. Israeli media alleged that one missile carried cluster munitions. Meanwhile, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization confirmed that the Bushehr nuclear power plant site was struck during US-Israeli attacks, though officials reported no casualties or technical damage.

Tehran’s defiance and Trump’s claims

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned Western inaction, declaring that “international law is dead in practice” due to double standards over Gaza and Ukraine. President Donald Trump claimed Washington is communicating with “the right people” in Iran, asserting that Tehran is eager for a deal. “We fly freely over Iran; we can do whatever we want,” Trump said, adding that Iran had agreed not to pursue nuclear weapons. He also suggested that the killing of Iranian leaders amounted to a “regime change.” In contrast, the Israeli military announced that its operational plans regarding Iran and Lebanon remain unchanged despite ongoing US diplomacy.

Türkiye’s steady diplomatic hand

As Washington combines military pressure with diplomatic outreach, Türkiye continues to champion dialogue as the only viable path forward. Ankara maintains open channels with all parties and has consistently warned that military escalation serves no one’s interests. Turkish officials have emphasized that any sustainable solution must address the root causes of the conflict while respecting international law and regional sovereignty. With the Stratcom Summit set to open in Istanbul this week, Türkiye is poised to further amplify its message that strategic communication and diplomacy must prevail over the language of bombs and ultimatums.