Iran rejects U.S. ceasefire offer, demands sovereignty over Strait of Hormuz
Iran rejected a U.S. ceasefire offer and has laid out its own list of conditions for ending the war, Iranian state media reported Wednesday.
State broadcaster Press TV, citing a senior political-security official with knowledge of the details of the proposal, reported that Iran's five-point counteroffer would give Tehran control over the Strait of Hormuz.
That may be a nonstarter for the U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday floated the possibility that the crucial oil-shipping route could be controlled jointly by "me and the ayatollah."
Iran also seeks war-related reparations, the official told the state news outlet.
Here is Iran's complete list of conditions, according to Press TV:
- A complete halt to "aggression and assassinations" by the enemy.
- The establishment of concrete mechanisms to ensure that the war is not reimposed on the Islamic Republic.
- Guaranteed and clearly defined payment of war damages and reparations.
- The conclusion of the war across all fronts and for all resistance groups involved throughout the region.
- Iran's exercise of sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz is and will remain Iran's natural and legal right, and it constitutes a guarantee for the implementation of the other party's commitments, and must be recognized.
Earlier Wednesday, the Fars News Agency, another state media outlet, citing what it called an informed source, said there have been increased U.S. efforts to enact a ceasefire and start indirect talks with Iran to end the war.
"Iran does not accept a ceasefire," that source told FARS, according to a translation of the news site's Telegram page that reported the interview.
"Basically, it is not logical to enter into such a process with those who violate the agreement," the source said.
The source also told Fars that Iran intends to realize its strategic goals in the war, and that only when that happens will there be a possibility of ending the conflict, the outlet reported.
The conflict began Feb. 28 with strikes by the U.S. and Israel against the Islamic Republic.
Read more U.S.-Iran war news
Earlier Wednesday, the Associated Press reported that Iran has received Trump's 15-point peace plan.
Trump said on Tuesday that the U.S. and Iran are currently in negotiations. Iran has denied there are any direct negotiations.
