Brief
US rejects Iran’s war‑ending offer, citing bad faith
The Trump administration has declined Iran’s latest peace proposal, arguing the Iranians demanded too much upfront and were not negotiating in good faith.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The United Nations ambassador for the United States, Mike Waltz, told CNN’s State of the Union that Washington had rejected Iran’s proposal to end the conflict in the Persian Gulf. Waltz said the Iranians had asked for “everything up front” – billions of sanctions to be lifted – before agreeing to talk about the Strait of Hormuz and the nuclear programme.
Waltz echoed President Trump’s comments from Saturday, who said the US was “winning tremendously” and had “total control of the Hormuz strait”. Trump had earlier rejected a peace plan presented at the UN General Assembly, arguing that Iran’s desperation was driving its push for a deal that would immediately open the strait.
Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, posted on social media that the country’s conditions for reopening the strait were clear and that diplomacy was still the preferred route. He also appeared on NBC’s Meet the Press, saying Iran was prepared to resume fighting if the US did not choose a diplomatic path.
Meanwhile, Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said in an interview with CBS that the country was ready for talks on its nuclear programme but would not accept “bullying or coercion”. He added that Iran had already agreed not to develop nuclear weapons.
Waltz referred to a failed memorandum of understanding signed in Pakistan in June, which laid out a 14‑point framework for peace. He said Iran had immediately violated the MOU by attacking international shipping, a move condemned by 146 nations.
Key facts
- The US rejected Iran’s proposal to end the war (theguardian.com)
- Iran demanded the lifting of billions of sanctions before negotiating (theguardian.com)
- The US ambassador cited a failed June memorandum of understanding (theguardian.com)
- Iran’s foreign minister said conditions for reopening the strait were clear (theguardian.com)
- Iran’s president said the country would not accept bullying or coercion (theguardian.com)
Background
The US and Iran have been in a standoff over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz since the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal. The Trump administration has pursued a hard‑line approach, while Iran has offered a seven‑day plan to lift sanctions and reopen the strait, which the US has declined.
Why it matters
The rejection could prolong the conflict, affecting global oil flows and regional security.
What happens next
Iran has stated it will continue diplomatic efforts while remaining prepared for military action if the US does not choose a diplomatic path.
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “UN ambassador Waltz says Iran was not negotiating ‘in good faith’ to end war”
