HIBAPRESS
The Iranian army on Sunday threatened to respond to any new American attack, a day after US President Donald Trump announced his rejection of Tehran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and cease hostilities. The Iranian Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, affirmed its commitment to the diplomatic path and its anticipation of Washington's stance through intermediaries.
According to Reuters, official media quoted the Iranian army spokesman, Mohammad Akrami Nia, as saying that the armed forces are prepared for any new American attacks.
He warned that the United States would suffer greater damage if it launched another attack, in statements that come amid an ongoing dispute over the conditions for ending the war and resuming navigation through the strait.
In a separate statement, Iranian Army Commander Amir Hatami described the war as having reached a "critical and decisive stage," stating that Tehran would not accept being deprived of trade while foreign powers utilize strategic waterways in the region, according to him.
He added: "If Iran cannot trade, and if Iran cannot live, then no one will be able to trade or live," threatening to prevent what he described as the country's enemies from using the Strait of Hormuz while restrictions on Iran continue.
In parallel with the military statements, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that exiting the crisis requires a negotiated solution and that any step to reopen the strait is linked to meeting Tehran's conditions.
He clarified that intermediaries had not conveyed an official American rejection of the proposal to the Iranian side, despite Trump's public statements, adding that his country awaits notification of the final position before making a decision.
Trump had announced on Saturday his rejection of the Iranian offer, telling reporters at the White House: "I reject their proposal… I rejected their offer." He considered that Tehran's desire to immediately reopen the strait was due to the economic losses it was incurring. However, he left the door open to reaching an agreement, confirming his desire to do so, without specifying in his statements the clauses he rejects or the amendments he requests to accept the proposal.
Iran presented the initiative during the UN General Assembly meetings in New York and conveyed it to Washington through Qatari intermediaries. Araghchi said that its acceptance would trigger a seven-day countdown to reopen Hormuz and halt hostilities in the region.
According to details reported by the Associated Press, the offer includes lifting the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, lifting sanctions on oil sales, committing to a ceasefire that includes Lebanon, and resuming talks on the nuclear program.
The nuclear file remains one of the most prominent points of contention. While Trump insists that Iran will not obtain a nuclear weapon, Reuters quoted a senior Iranian official as saying that Tehran will not make concessions on uranium enrichment or transferring its high-enriched stockpile out of the country, even if an agreement to end the war is accepted.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had announced his country's readiness to discuss the nuclear program and other issues, but he stressed his rejection of what he described as "bullying or coercion," affirming that Tehran is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
