Iran Insists on Diplomacy After Trump Rejects Peace Plan

Iran reiterated its commitment to diplomacy on Sunday as the sole path to resolving its conflict with the United States and Israel, following U.S. President Donald Trump's rejection of an Iranian proposal. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on social media that "our conditions are clear, and any step toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz is conditional on meeting these conditions." He added that "negotiated solutions are the only way out of this predicament." Iran had presented a peace proposal the previous week at the UN General Assembly in New York, reportedly conveyed to the U.S. via Qatari intermediaries.

Trump, however, dismissed the plan on Saturday, suggesting that desperation was driving Iran's pursuit of an agreement concerning the strategic waterway. "They want to make a deal to open up the Strait of Hormuz right away because they are losing a lot of money," Trump told reporters. Despite Trump's public remarks, Araghchi noted that intermediaries had not officially relayed a U.S. rejection of the plan. "We are waiting for the mediators to convey the final views to us, and we will make a decision based on that," Araghchi wrote.

The U.S. has imposed economic sanctions on Iran to pressure it to cease attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which have significantly disrupted maritime traffic. The Wall Street Journal initially reported Trump's rejection, citing unnamed U.S. officials, and added that Trump doubted Iran's willingness to meet his demands, reportedly considering new airstrikes on Tehran after the U.S. midterm elections in November. Earlier, a U.S. official had described discussions with Iran through intermediaries as "positive and constructive."

The ongoing conflict, which began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli attacks, has disrupted oil flows through the vital shipping lane and impacted the global economy. Araghchi had previously indicated that an agreement would initiate a seven-day countdown to reopening the Strait and ceasing regional hostilities. He stated that if the U.S. was serious about an agreement, "everything is ready now." Broader talks, potentially including Iran's nuclear program, could follow if the U.S. agreed. Iran has maintained it will not compromise on its nuclear rights, including uranium enrichment, even if its peace proposal were accepted. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated that Tehran is open to talks but will not accept "bullying or coercion," emphasizing that Iran does not seek war but will defend itself and has pledged not to develop nuclear weapons.

The conflict has led Iran and its allies to expand regional hostilities, with Iran and Oman jointly controlling the Strait and Iran launching drone and missile attacks on U.S. allies. The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen reported intercepting Houthi projectiles aimed at the Kingdom on Saturday.