Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on Sunday that only a negotiated solution can resolve the country's conflict with the US and Israel. This comes after US President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end fighting. Araqchi emphasized that Iran's conditions for reopening the strait are clear and must be met. He made these comments on social media, highlighting the importance of diplomacy in resolving the conflict.
The Iranian peace proposal was announced last week at the UN General Assembly in New York and was transmitted to the Americans via Qatari mediators. According to Trump, the proposal was rejected because he believes the Iranians are desperate and want to make a deal to open the Hormuz Strait immediately. Trump claimed that Iran is losing badly and wants to negotiate due to this desperation. However, mediators facilitating Tehran's talks with Washington have not officially relayed a US rejection of the plan.
Despite Trump's public statements, Araqchi said that Iran is waiting for the mediators to convey the definitive views to them and will make a decision based on them. The US has imposed an economic blockade on Iran to pressure Tehran to stop Iranian attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. These attacks have drastically reduced shipping through the area, even as Trump repeatedly asserts that the US controls the waterway. The economic blockade is part of the US strategy to put pressure on Iran.
The commander-in-chief of Iran's army, Amir Hatami, stated that the war is at a critical and decisive stage. He emphasized that Tehran will not accept a situation in which it is unable to trade while foreign powers use the region's strategic waterways. Hatami warned that if Iran cannot trade or live, no one will be able to trade or live. This statement underscores the stakes of the conflict and Iran's determination to protect its interests.
The conflict between Iran and the US has also involved regional fighting, with Iran engaging its Saudi rivals regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Araqchi told reporters at the UN on Friday that the proposed deal would trigger a seven-day countdown to reopening the strait and a pause in regional fighting. If the US were to agree, the warring parties could start wider talks on mutually agreed subjects, potentially including discussions of Iran's nuclear programme.
A senior Iranian official stated that Iran will show no flexibility over its nuclear programme even if the US accepts its peace deal. The official emphasized that Iran will grant no concessions over its rights, including enriching uranium or shipping its highly enriched uranium out of the country. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran is ready for talks on its nuclear programme and other issues but will not accept bullying or coercion.
Previous attempts at diplomacy have failed to end the war, which began on February 28 with US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and significant damage to Iran's economy. Yemen's Houthi-run health ministry reported that seven people were killed and 40 wounded in a strike on shops at a market in Taiz province on Sunday. The conflict continues to have a significant impact on the region and the global economy.
Key points
- Iran insists on a negotiated solution to resolve its conflict with the US and Israel.
- US President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end fighting.
- The conflict between Iran and the US has resulted in significant human and economic costs.
