Iran's foreign ministry on Monday said the United States must abandon its "one-sided approach" and accept Tehran's "legitimate demands", including ending the war, lifting blockades, halting maritime actions against Iranian vessels, and releasing frozen Iranian assets, as reported by ANI citing Iranian state media.
Press Conference Remarks
Addressing a press conference in Tehran, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated that Iran's proposals were intended to safeguard both national interests and broader regional stability. "In our proposal, we only raised Iran's legitimate rights. Everything we proposed in the text was reasonable and generous," Baghaei said, according to Iran's state-linked Fars News Agency. He added, "Not only for Iran's national interests but for the good and welfare of the region and the world. The American parties continue to insist on their unreasonable demands."
Iran as a Responsible Power
Baghaei emphasized that Tehran views itself as a responsible regional power and rejected allegations of coercive conduct. "Iran has proven itself to be a responsible power in the region. We are not bullies; we are anti-bullying," he said. He further outlined Iran's demands, which include "an end to the war, the lifting of the blockade, a halt to acts of maritime piracy, and the release of Iranian assets unjustly frozen in banks under US pressure." He added that ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and regional security were also part of Tehran's proposals.
Criticism of US Policy
The spokesperson accused Washington of continuing its "maximum pressure" policy against Iran and warned against outside involvement in Gulf security matters. "Regional security must be ensured by the countries of the region themselves," he said, adding that "any interference in matters concerning the Strait of Hormuz will only further complicate the situation." Baghaei also blamed recent instability in the key strategic waterway on the US. "The Strait of Hormuz was open prior to 28 February; US aggression is the cause of disruption in this strategic waterway," he stated.
Context of US Proposal
The remarks came a day after Donald Trump criticized Iran's response to a US proposal aimed at ending hostilities in the region, calling it "totally unacceptable" in a post on Truth Social. Iran later said it had conveyed its response to Washington through Pakistani mediators.
