Iran insists on diplomatic solution after Trump rejects peace plan

The United States has firmly rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and cease hostilities in the region, US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday. In response, Tehran reaffirmed on Sunday that only diplomatic negotiations can resolve the ongoing conflict. The suggestion to initiate a seven-day roadmap for ending hostilities and reopening the vital waterway had been proposed earlier in the week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, via Qatari mediators.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi disclosed that Iran's conditions were yet to be met and that Iran was awaiting a conclusive response from the mediators before taking any further action. During a press conference, Trump characterized the Iranian offer as a sign of Tehran's weakness rather than genuine goodwill, stating that the country is pushing for an agreement due to mounting economic pressure on the regime.

Despite Trump's public declaration of rejection, Araghchi maintained that mediators have not yet officially confirmed this stance, and Iran will proceed once it receives the definitive views from the mediators. The proposed seven-day ceasefire framework entailed a pause in regional fighting and the subsequent initiation of broader talks on mutually agreed subjects. Iran, however, pledged to maintain its position on its nuclear program, including uranium enrichment, even if Washington accepts the broader peace deal.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian conveyed Iran's willingness to engage in talks but firmly rejected bullying or coercion during an interview on CBS's Face the Nation. Separately, he told Al Jazeera that Qatar and Pakistan were relaying Iran's messages to Washington. Meanwhile, the regional fallout of the ongoing conflict persisted, with Israel initiating new artillery and air strikes in southern Lebanon, Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen persistently targeting Saudi interests, and Saudi Arabia calling for the UN to condemn Houthi actions.