Iran may believe it has upper hand as Trump seeks talks

PARIS — Iran's decision to rebuff a 15-point peace proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump and outline its own conditions for a ceasefire reflects growing confidence in its negotiating position after nearly four weeks of war, analysts say. Despite U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that have killed its top leaders and inflicted huge material damage, Iran's governing system remains in place and it retains the ability to fire missiles and drones at its neighbours and Israel. Above all, it has demonstrated its ability to choke off the Strait of Hormuz shipping route, spiking oil and gas prices and underlining how it has a sizeable part of the world economy at its mercy. Trump sprung a surprise on Monday by announcing talks with Tehran, but Iranian officials have insisted all week that no negotiations are taking place, even mocking the U.S. leader for "negotiating with himself." Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state TV late on Wednesday that "speaking of negotiations now is an admission of defeat," but a response has been sent to Washington's 15-point plan via an intermediary, Iranian media re

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