Iran Receives Official US Response to Proposal to End Middle East War
Iranian authorities have confirmed receiving an official response from the United States to Tehran’s proposal aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East, although the contents of Washington’s reply have not been made public. The development follows indirect talks between the two countries and comes days after US President Donald Trump publicly rejected Iran’s proposal.
Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented the American response to President Masoud Pezeshkian during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. She did not disclose details of the response or indicate whether Washington had accepted any of Tehran’s conditions.
The latest exchange follows indirect US-Iran talks held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Reuters reported that Iranian and US officials had been communicating through mediators, with Qatar playing a key role in transmitting messages between the two sides.
Iran had proposed a seven-day plan focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and establishing steps towards de-escalation. Tehran has linked the reopening of the strategic waterway to demands including an end to the US naval blockade, relief from oil sanctions and the release of frozen Iranian assets.
The Strait of Hormuz has remained central to the conflict because it is a major route for global oil and gas shipments. Disruptions around the waterway have contributed to pressure on energy markets, with Reuters reporting that diplomatic uncertainty and disrupted flows continued to affect investor sentiment and oil prices.
Trump rejected Iran’s proposal publicly on Saturday, saying the terms were unacceptable. Iran, however, continued waiting for a formal response through its intermediaries, which was subsequently delivered via Qatari mediation.
Despite the diplomatic exchanges, military tensions have not completely disappeared. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have continued reporting attacks on vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States has maintained economic pressure through additional sanctions.
The latest response does not by itself indicate that an agreement has been reached. Reuters reported that Washington and Tehran remained divided over key issues, with the sequencing of proposed measures among the sticking points in negotiations. Further diplomatic efforts will determine whether the latest exchange can lead to a broader arrangement to reduce hostilities.