Iran Demands Sanctions Relief Before Peace Talks as U.S. Rejects Its Latest Gambit
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Iran is pushing a new two-day peace-talk proposal that would force the United States to lift sanctions and a naval blockade first, while U.S. officials call the terms outrageous and warn of further strikes if American interests are threatened.
Iran's foreign ministry defended a revised proposal to resume peace negotiations within two days, describing it as the most reasonable offer on the table despite the obvious hardline conditions attached to it. The plan, presented by Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, demands that U.S. sanctions and a naval blockade be lifted before talks begin and that hostilities cease on all fronts.
Baghaei replied to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's criticism, which called Iran's demands "outrageous and ridiculous," by questioning whether the request was truly unreasonable. He also warned that U.S. pressure on Iraq to close most of its borders with Iran should not be allowed to damage Baghdad's bilateral relations with Tehran.
Rubio, speaking before a G7 foreign ministers meeting in France, said the United States had no progress to report on a breakthrough and noted that several countries continue to engage with Iran. He reiterated that President Donald Trump favors a diplomatic solution but said Iranian demands remain a major obstacle. Rubio added that the United States would consider additional strikes if American forces or shipping in the region were threatened.
Baghaei dismissed a U.S. military task force aimed at restricting Iran's land trade as a diversion following the Republican losses in recent midterm elections.