Iran has rejected a ceasefire proposal presented by US President Donald Trump, which was reportedly conveyed to authorities in Tehran through Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi.
According to The New York Times, the Iranian leadership rejected the interim agreement because it did not address the issue that Tehran considers essential, the status and control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian and Iraqi sources said that the Baghdad delegation held meetings with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials to discuss the American offer.
According to the same sources, Iranian officials called the proposal unacceptable, arguing that a temporary ceasefire is worthless unless an agreement is reached on one of the world's most strategic maritime corridors. The Strait of Hormuz is considered a key point for global oil transport and remains at the center of the clash between Tehran and Washington.
The rejection of the offer comes at a time when Donald Trump has warned of the possibility of a much broader military operation against Iran if diplomatic efforts fail, while US operations against Iranian targets continue.
For Tehran, control over the Strait of Hormuz is a matter of national security and strategic interests, while the United States insists that freedom of navigation in this maritime corridor must be guaranteed for international shipping, making it the main point of disagreement between the parties.
