Iran accepts mediation proposals, reaffirms commitment to diplomacy

Iran on Monday stated that it has received proposals from mediators aimed at reducing tensions and is reviewing them, while reaffirming its commitment to diplomacy amid exchanges of fire between Washington and Tehran. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said during a press conference that mediators are working to prevent further escalation and have conveyed proposals to Tehran. “We have received proposals through the mediators, but will not discuss the details at this stage,” Baqaei said in comments broadcast by state television station IRIB. He said Iran’s diplomatic corps continues to carry out its responsibilities alongside the country’s armed forces. “While our armed forces respond firmly and swiftly to the source of American aggression, diplomacy is fully aware of its duties and will spare no effort in fulfilling them,” 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. Echoing earlier statements from Iran’s judiciary, he said no American prisoner matching Trump’s description has been released from Iranian custody. “The individual in question was not a prisoner and was not charged with espionage,” Baqaei said. Last week, Trump said Iran had released an American citizen he claimed had been “unlawfully detained” in December 2024. “He is now safely out of Iran, and in good health. The United States appreciates this gesture of goodwill from Iran,” he said on his Truth Social platform. The Iranian statements come amid continued military exchanges between Iran and the US, despite a memorandum of understanding mediated by Pakistan and signed last month to end their conflict and reach a lasting peace agreement. However, tensions flared again last week over the Strait of Hormuz.