Iran has described the United States as the greatest threat to global peace and stated that Washington’s demands for ending the conflict are entirely unreasonable. Tehran also maintained that the conditions it has proposed are justified and consistent with its national interests.
The remarks came on Monday, 11 May, after Iran rejected a United States ceasefire proposal on Sunday, 10 May. The latest exchange followed comments by US President Donald Trump, who dismissed Iran’s counter-proposal as “unacceptable”. Tehran subsequently issued a strong response through its Foreign Ministry.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told a press conference that the United States military presence and bases in the region were the principal causes of conflict and instability. According to Baghaei, Washington’s demands lacked justification, while Iran’s proposed conditions were “completely reasonable”.
Baghaei said Iran had called for an end to the war, the removal of the US naval blockade, an end to piracy-related activities, and the release of Iranian assets and funds that had been seized. He stated that Tehran considered these demands legitimate and necessary for any future agreement.
According to the report, the United States and Iran had reached a ceasefire agreement on 8 April. However, one day later, President Trump announced a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports. Iran has since insisted that any meaningful negotiations or settlement would require the blockade to be lifted first.
The United States, meanwhile, is seeking the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes for global energy shipments. The waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is widely regarded as a critical corridor for international oil transportation.
The differing positions of Tehran and Washington have contributed to heightened tensions between the two countries. While diplomatic communication appears to be continuing, both sides remain firm in their respective conditions, making progress towards a broader settlement uncertain.
| Issue | Iran’s Position | United States Position |
|---|---|---|
| Ceasefire | Supports ending the conflict under its conditions | Proposed ceasefire terms rejected by Iran |
| Naval Blockade | Demands immediate withdrawal | Announced blockade on Iranian ports |
| Iranian Assets | Calls for release of seized funds and assets | No public commitment reported |
| Regional Security | Blames US military presence for instability | Maintains strategic military involvement |
| Strait of Hormuz | No change in stated position | Seeks full reopening of the waterway |