Iran Refuses to Back Down on Hormuz Conditions Amid US Rejection
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supply, remains closed as Iran stands firm on its conditions to reopen it. President Donald Trump rejected Iran's proposal earlier, which included a cessation of hostilities in the Middle East and fulfillment of conditions in a previous cease-fire deal.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that 'our conditions are clear, and any move toward reopening the Strait is contingent upon these conditions being fulfilled. We will not back down from them.'
Tehran's plan includes the release of frozen Iranian assets, lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil, and an end to the US naval blockade. Araghchi emphasized that Iran 'has never closed the door to diplomacy or negotiations, but at the same time, we have never backed down from our rights.'
The US rejection has not deterred Iran, with Hossein Mohebi, a spokesman for the Revolutionary Guards, stating that 'we will not cease punishing the U.S. until Iran's seven conditions are met.'