Iran calls for diplomacy as Trump rejects plan
Iran maintains that diplomacy alone can resolve its conflict with the United States and Israel, following US President Donald Trump's rejection of an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the fighting. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi tweeted that Iran's conditions must be met before the Strait can reopen.
Only a negotiated resolution can alleviate the deadlock. Iran unveiled a peace proposal at the UN General Assembly in New York, which was relayed to the Americans via Qatari mediators. Trump dismissed the plan on Saturday, claiming desperation drives Iran's push for an agreement on the vital waterway. Despite Trump's public stance, mediators facilitating US-Iran talks have not formally communicated a US rejection of the plan, according to Araqchi.
The US has imposed an economic embargo on Iran to pressure Tehran to cease attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which has severely restricted shipping through the region. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump privately doubted Iran's willingness to meet his demands and predicted a renewed bombing campaign post the November US midterm elections.
Both Iran and Saudi Arabia have engaged in discussions regarding the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the significance of the conflict, which has disrupted oil flows and impacted the global economy. Araqchi stated that if the US is serious about reaching a deal and reopening the Strait, all conditions have been prepared. Iran would not compromise on its nuclear program, even if the US accepted the peace deal, according to a senior Iranian official.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed readiness for talks on nuclear issues and other matters but rejected bullying or coercion. Iran has previously engaged in retaliatory strikes, causing thousands of casualties and further damaging Iran's struggling economy. Despite attempts at diplomacy, the war, which began on February 28, has seen alternating pauses and new strikes, affecting Iran's conventional forces and its ailing economy.
Written by urgent.news from The Economic Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
