Iraq and Iran deny New York Times report on US-Iran ceasefire proposal

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Prime Minister's Media Office rejected a New York Times report that Prime Minister Ali al-Zeydi carried a proposal for a 10-day temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran during a visit to Tehran. The office said the claims have no basis in reality and urged media outlets to rely on official statements and refrain from publishing unverified information. Iran also denied the report, which had cited US and Iraqi officials, saying no such proposal was made. An Iranian official described the ceasefire narrative as "completely misleading." Tehran said it remains committed to diplomacy but held the United States responsible for the tension, accusing Washington of violating commitments made in a memorandum of understanding signed on June 18. The denials followed a diplomatic tour by al-Zeydi covering Washington and Tehran, where officials discussed economic, energy and investment matters alongside the regional implications of US-Iran tensions. No further details on the alleged proposal or the response from either capital were immediately available.