Iran Defends Two-Day Peace Talk Proposal Amid U.S. Criticism
Iran says its offer to restart peace talks within two days is the most reasonable on the table, while U.S. officials call the conditions demanding sanction relief and a cease-fire "outrageous".
Iran's foreign ministry defended a revised proposal to resume peace negotiations within two days, describing it as the most reasonable offer available. The plan, presented by Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, asks that U.S. sanctions and a naval blockade be lifted before talks begin and that hostilities cease on all fronts.
Baghaei responded to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's criticism, which labeled Iran's demands "outrageous and ridiculous," by questioning whether the request was unreasonable. He also warned that U.S. pressure on Iraq to close most of its borders with Iran should not 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.