Iran urges talks after Trump rejects peace plan

Iran has reiterated that diplomacy is the only way to resolve its ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. The statement came after US President Donald Trump said Washington had rejected an Iranian proposal linked to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending hostilities.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had clearly outlined its conditions. He said reopening the strategic waterway would depend on those conditions being accepted. Araghchi added that a negotiated settlement was necessary to break the current deadlock.

Iran presented its peace proposal during the United Nations General Assembly in New York last week. The proposal was reportedly conveyed to the United States through Qatari mediators.

Trump said on Saturday that he had rejected the proposal. He claimed Iran was seeking an immediate agreement over the Strait of Hormuz because of pressure caused by the conflict.

However, Araghchi said Iranian officials had not received an official rejection through the mediators. He said Tehran was waiting for the mediators to communicate Washington’s final position before deciding its next step.

The dispute has placed further pressure on shipping and energy markets. Restrictions and attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz have significantly affected maritime traffic through the vital waterway. The disruption has also affected oil supplies and added to concerns about the global economy.

According to the proposed arrangement, a US agreement would trigger a seven-day period leading to the reopening of the strait and a pause in regional fighting. Araghchi said broader negotiations could then begin on issues agreed upon by both sides.

Iran’s nuclear programme could be among the issues discussed in wider negotiations. Tehran has maintained that it will not surrender its right to enrich uranium or accept demands that it considers coercive.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was prepared to discuss its nuclear programme and other issues. However, he stressed that Iran would not accept pressure or threats.

Pezeshkian also said Iran was not seeking war but would defend itself against attacks and pressure. He maintained that Tehran had already agreed that it should not develop nuclear weapons.

The conflict began on February 28 following US and Israeli attacks on Iran. Since then, periods of fighting have been interrupted by temporary pauses before renewed strikes.

The prolonged conflict has caused thousands of deaths, damaged Iran’s military capabilities and placed additional strain on its economy. Iranian forces and allied groups have also carried out attacks across the region, including drone and missile strikes against US allies in the Gulf.