White House Ropes in Nick Stewart for Iran Peace Talks Amid Fresh Diplomatic Push

The White House has confirmed the appointment of Nick Stewart as an adviser to the diplomatic team tasked with negotiating an end to the ongoing conflict with Iran, according to a report by CBS News.

In an official statement, White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales described Stewart as a "sharp, seasoned policy expert" who would serve as a significant asset to the delegation led by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.

Wales noted that Stewart possesses a deep background in Iran-related matters, having previously held positions within the State Department during the first Trump administration and on Capitol Hill.

Stewart's induction into the negotiating team was facilitated by Jared Kushner, US officials told CBS News.

Prior to this appointment, Stewart was associated with the lobbying division of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, an organisation that has consistently advocated for a more aggressive military posture against Tehran.

This diplomatic reshuffle comes as Iran formally issued a counter-proposal to a US-backed nine-point peace initiative.

According to the Tasnim News Agency, Tehran submitted a detailed 14-point plan outlining its specific requirements for terminating the hostilities.

The document, which was facilitated through Pakistani mediators, indicates Tehran's objective to transition from a temporary cessation of hostilities toward a more permanent settlement.

Why is Iran rejecting a long-term ceasefire and pushing for a 30-day resolution?

While the US administration had initially suggested a two-month truce, Iran has reportedly dismissed the notion of a long-term ceasefire, demanding instead that all core disputes be settled within a 30-day timeframe.

US President Donald Trump responded to the development on Truth Social, noting that while he would review the submission, he remains deeply sceptical of Tehran's intentions.

In his post, the President stated that Tehran "has not yet paid a big enough price" for its actions spanning several decades.

He further remarked that while he would soon examine the plan, it was difficult to imagine the proposal being acceptable.

According to Tasnim, the Iranian framework is designed to address tensions across multiple regional fronts, including Lebanon.

The plan reportedly necessitates firm security guarantees to preclude future military strikes against Iran and calls for the withdrawal of US forces from neighbouring regions.

(With inputs from ANI)