Iranian officials rejected a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire with Iran that was conveyed by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi during his recent visit to Tehran, according to U.S. and Iraqi officials cited by The New York Times on Friday.

The report said Al-Zaidi carried Washington's proposal to the Iranian leadership during official talks in the Iranian capital. While the newspaper did not disclose the specific terms of the ceasefire initiative, Iranian officials reportedly declined the offer.

The disclosure came shortly after Al-Zaidi returned to Baghdad early Friday following the conclusion of his official visit to Tehran.

The Tehran trip followed a five-day visit to the United States, where Al-Zaidi led a high-level Iraqi delegation in discussions aimed at launching a comprehensive economic partnership. Talks focused on strengthening Iraq's economy, expanding investment opportunities, opening new crude oil export routes, and increasing the country's oil production and refining capacity.

According to Iraqi officials, the prime minister is expected to begin a regional diplomatic tour in the coming days, with planned visits to Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. The tour is expected to focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the energy sector, as regional security tensions continue to escalate and military exchanges between Washington and Tehran disrupt supply chains through the Strait of Hormuz.