Iran Rejects U.S. Peace Response, Demands Washington Accept Seven Conditions Before Reopening Strait
Iran has rejected Washington’s response to its latest peace proposal, declaring that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz will remain closed unless the United States agrees to all seven of Tehran’s conditions for ending the conflict.
The announcement Tuesday came as President Donald Trump expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with Iran, even as he warned that American forces remain prepared to launch additional strikes against the country’s nuclear facilities.
Mohsen Rezaei, a senior Iranian security official, said Tehran was dissatisfied with the American response and would not consider reopening the waterway until Washington explicitly accepted and implemented its demands.
“America’s response to Iran’s rights and demands was not convincing, and they must fully and explicitly address Iran’s seven conditions and act upon them,” Rezaei wrote on X.
“Only in this case will the Strait of Hormuz be reopened,” he added.
Iranian officials have insisted that their seven-point proposal must serve as the foundation for any agreement. Among Tehran’s demands are financial compensation from the United States for damage sustained during the conflict, an end to American economic pressure and the removal of the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Tehran is also demanding a cessation of military operations throughout the Middle East, including in Lebanon and Gaza, where Iranian-backed terrorist groups have been involved in fighting.
Other conditions include the release of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds and a reduction in the American military presence across the region.
Iran is further insisting that any agreement permanently end the war rather than merely establish a temporary ceasefire. Its proposal also seeks to exclude the country’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs from future negotiations.
The latest Iranian rejection follows several public statements by Trump suggesting that the prolonged confrontation could be approaching a diplomatic resolution.
Speaking to reporters Monday, Trump dismissed speculation that major fighting would resume immediately after Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections, arguing that American military operations had already accomplished their objectives.
“We had a war with Iran. We won,” Trump said. “I don’t know if you even call it a war because we haven’t been doing any fighting for months.”
Trump subsequently suggested that an agreement could be reached to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz while addressing the Iranian nuclear threat.
“Oil Prices are DROPPING LIKE A ROCK, down almost $10 a Barrel, A RECORD, because people feel that there will not be a War with Iran. Iran wants a settlement, as soon as possible. It could happen!” the president wrote on Truth Social.
The diplomatic impasse comes as Qatar and Pakistan continue efforts to broker an agreement between Washington and Tehran. Qatari mediators have reportedly presented revised proposals to both sides, with further responses expected as negotiations continue.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently indicated that Tehran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days of an agreement if Washington first carried out the required measures. The shortened timetable represents a change from Iran’s earlier proposal, which envisioned a seven-day implementation period.
The tensions intensified Monday when American forces carried out limited strikes against Iranian targets on Qeshm Island, near the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. officials described the operation as a defensive response after Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces fired at an American aircraft.
Despite the renewed military activity, Vice President JD Vance said the administration remained encouraged by the diplomatic contacts and believed further progress was possible.
During an appearance Monday night on Fox News with Sean Hannity, Trump emphasized that any agreement must eliminate Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons.
“We cannot let Iran, an evil nation, who has killed many of our people, Soleimani is an example, no longer with us, but killed many of our people, we cannot let them have a nuclear weapon, and we won’t,” Trump stated.
