Responding to Trump, Iran Asserts Only Diplomacy Can End War
Iran has asserted that only diplomacy can resolve the war initiated by the United States (US) and Israel. This statement follows US President Donald Trump’s rejection of an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end hostilities.
“Our conditions are clear, and every step towards reopening the Strait of Hormuz depends on the fulfilment of those conditions,” wrote Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on social media, as reported by Reuters on Sunday (27/9/202%206).
“Only a solution through negotiations can lead them out of this deadlock,” he added.
Iran announced the peace proposal last week during the UN General Assembly in New York. Iran stated that the proposal had been conveyed to the US via Qatari mediators.
On Saturday (26/9), Trump stated his rejection of the plan, arguing that Iran’s pressure to reach an agreement regarding the vital waterway was driven by desperation.
“They want to make a deal quickly to open the Strait of Hormuz because they are suffering a crushing defeat,” Trump said at the White House.
Despite Trump’s public statements, according to Araghchi, the mediators facilitating talks between Iran and the US have not yet officially communicated the US rejection of the plan.
“We are waiting for the mediators to convey the definitive view to us, and we will make our decision based on that,” wrote Araghchi.
The US has implemented an economic blockade against Iran to pressure Tehran to halt attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. These Iranian attacks have drastically reduced shipping activity in this critical global oil route.
The attacks from Iran were triggered by the war initiated by the US and Israel against Iran in February 20lar26. Iran responded by implementing a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump himself has repeatedly asserted that the US controls the waterway. Trump’s rejection was initially reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed US officials.
The report stated that Trump personally doubted Iran would meet its demands and had told his staff that he was considering the possibility of a new bombing campaign following the US midterm elections in November.
Previously, a US official stated that discussions with Iran through mediators were ‘positive and constructive’. Iran has also maintained communication with its rival, Saudi Arabia, regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
This underscores the high stakes in the seven-month-long war, which has disrupted the flow of oil through vital shipping lanes and adversely impacted the global economy. Araghchi told journalists at the UN that the proposed agreement would trigger a seven-day countdown to the reopening of the strait and a pause in regional fighting.
“If there is seriousness from the US side to reach an agreement and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, everything is now ready,” said Araghchi.
If the US agrees, he said, the warring parties could begin broader talks ‘regarding mutually agreed topics’. This could potentially include discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear programme.
Trump has stated that Tehran must not possess a nuclear bomb, while a senior Iranian official said that Iran would not show flexibility regarding its nuclear programme, even if the US accepts the peace deal.
Iran will not provide any concessions regarding its rights, including uranium enrichment or the shipment of highly enriched uranium abroad. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in an interview on CBS ‘Face the Nation’, said Tehran is ready to engage in talks regarding its nuclear programme and other issues, but will not accept ‘intimidation or coercion’.
“Iran is not seeking war, but will defend itself against pressure, threats, and attacks,” said Pezeshkian, adding that they had agreed on the principle that ‘we must not develop nuclear weapons’.
Previous diplomatic efforts failed to end the war, which began on 28 February with attacks from the US and Israel. Since then, the war has fluctuated between periods of pause and renewed attacks, killing thousands and weakening Iran’s conventional forces and damaging its already struggling economy.
Iran and its allies have responded by expanding the conflict across the region. Iran has attacked US allies in the Gulf using drones and missiles, while their Houthi allies in Yemen have targeted Saudi Arabian interests, which is one of the US’s allies in the Middle East.