TENSIONS between the United States and Iran continue to simmer as both nations signal a dual readiness for diplomatic negotiations and potential military conflict following the U.S. rejection of an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he expects negotiations with Iran to continue this week, according to the U.S. media Axios. Trump noted that while Iran desires an agreement, they are seeking a deal he does not want, adding that the country is "overestimating its leverage".
When asked if he was considering resuming military strikes against Iran, Trump confirmed that the option remains firmly on the table. His remarks came a day after he publicly rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Iranian sources on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi underscored the country's dual-track approach.
Araghchi said in an interview that Iran is fully prepared for the resumption of war, but at the same time, "we are always ready for diplomatic engagement," stressing that the ultimate outcome depends on Trump's choices.
The diplomatic friction traces back to a press conference held at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Friday, where Araghchi announced that Iran had conveyed a plan to the United States via Qatari mediators. He stated that Iran offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days and restore normal shipping if the U.S. took necessary reciprocal actions.
On Saturday, Trump told reporters at the White House that he has rejected Iran's proposal, saying "that deal would not be acceptable".
In response, Araghchi noted that despite Trump's public remarks, the U.S. has not yet formally conveyed its decision of rejection to Iran through mediating channels, Iranian sources said on Sunday.
He reiterated that the conditions required for reopening the strait are not new demands, but involve unfreezing illegally seized Iranian assets and allowing the country to sell its oil--actions he said the U.S. had previously committed to under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.
Amid the looming threat of U.S. strikes, Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said on Sunday that the armed forces are fully prepared to counter any aggression. He said that the U.S. prioritizes the security of the Israeli government over the interests of Islamic nations, asserting that expelling U.S. forces from West Asia would make the region significantly safer.
