Iran insists on diplomatic solution after Trump rejects peace plan

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized on Sunday that only diplomacy can resolve tensions between Iran, the US, and Israel following US President Donald Trump's rejection of an Iranian proposal. Araghchi stated that Iran's conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending hostilities were clear. The Iranian foreign minister announced a peace proposal at the UN General Assembly in New York last week, which was transmitted to the Americans via Qatari mediators.

However, Trump declared on Saturday that he rejected the plan, suggesting that Iran's desperation was driving its push for an agreement on the key waterway.

Despite Trump's public assertions, Araghchi claimed that US mediators facilitating the talks with Tehran had not officially conveyed a rejection of the plan. The US has imposed an economic blockade on Iran to pressure Tehran into ceasing attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which has significantly reduced shipping through the area.

Iranian Army Commander-in-Chief Amir Hatam stated that the war had reached a critical and decisive stage, warning that Iran would not accept a situation where it could not trade while foreign powers utilized the region's strategic waterways.

Accompanying previous attempts at diplomacy, the conflict has seen alternating pauses and renewed strikes, resulting in thousands of casualties and damaging Iran's economy. Iran and its allies extended the conflict to the region by targeting US allies in the Gulf with drones and missiles, while Houthi rebels in Yemen struck Saudi interests.

Saudi Arabia has become increasingly involved in the war as Houthi fighters advanced in Yemen, threatening Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea. Some Saudi schools temporarily shifted to remote learning due to escalating violence in the region.