Iran accepts mediation proposals, reaffirms commitment to diplomacy
Istanbul (ANTARA) - Iran stated on Monday that it had received a proposal from mediators aimed at defusing tensions and is currently reviewing it, whilst reaffirming its commitment to diplomacy amid exchanges of fire between Washington and Tehran.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeli Baqaei said at a press conference that the mediators are working to prevent further escalation and have conveyed a proposal to Tehran.
“We have received the proposal through the mediators, but will not discuss its details at this stage,” Baqaei said in comments broadcast by the state television channel IRIB.
He said Iran’s diplomatic corps continues to carry out its responsibilities alongside the country’s armed forces.
“Whilst our armed forces respond firmly and swiftly to the source of American aggression, diplomacy is fully aware of its duty and will not neglect any effort in fulfilling it,” he said.
Baqaei added that Iranian diplomats “will not abandon their duties,” just as the country’s armed forces “will not neglect their duty to defend the homeland.”
He also said Iran is determined, in cooperation with Oman, to take the necessary steps “to fully exercise its sovereignty and prevent any security threats in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Baqaei rejected claims by US President Donald Trump that Iran had freed an American citizen previously detained on espionage charges.
Reiterating earlier statements from Iran’s judiciary, he said no American prisoner matching Trump’s description had been released from an Iranian prison.
“The individual in question is not a prisoner and has not been charged with espionage,” Baqaei said.
Last week, Trump said Iran had freed an American citizen whom he claimed had been “unlawfully detained” in December 2024.
“He is now safely out of Iran, and in good condition. The United States appreciates this gesture of goodwill from Iran,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Iran’s statement comes amid continued military exchanges between Iran and the US, despite a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding signed last month to end their conflict and achieve a lasting peace agreement.
However, tensions rose again last week in connection with the Strait of Hormuz.