Iran insists on diplomatic solution after Trump rejects peace plan

Iran has reaffirmed on Sunday that only diplomacy 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 stated that Iran's conditions for reopening the key waterway are clear, and any moves in that direction are contingent upon meeting those conditions. He further emphasized that only a negotiated solution can extricate them from the current impasse.

Iran presented a peace proposal last week at the UN General Assembly in New York, which was conveyed to the Americans through Qatari mediators. However, Trump dismissed the plan on Saturday, arguing that Iran's desperation is driving its push for an agreement on the crucial waterway. He told reporters at the White House that while he remains open to diplomatic talks, he expects the US negotiators to continue engaging in more discussions this week.

Araqchi, however, contended that the US had not officially notified them of their rejection of the plan. He stated that they are awaiting the mediators' official communication and will make a decision based on those views. Meanwhile, the US has imposed an economic blockade on Iran to coerce Tehran into halting attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which has significantly curtailed shipping through the area.

Despite Trump's assertion that the US controls the waterway, Iran's military commander-in-chief, Amir Hatam, warned that if Iran cannot trade or live, neither can anyone else.

Previous diplomatic attempts have failed to resolve the ongoing conflict, which began on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes on Iran. The war has oscillated between pauses and renewed clashes, resulting in thousands of casualties and crippling Iran's already struggling economy. Iran and its allies have extended the conflict to the broader region by striking US allies in the Gulf with drones and missiles.

In retaliation, Saudi Arabia, the largest Gulf state, has been drawn more deeply into the war as Houthi fighters have advanced in Yemen, threatening Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea.