Escalation feared over the Iran war as Tehran’s counter-offer to the US is dismissed by President Donald Trump and Iran wants to include Lebanon in any proposal to end the conflict
The US and Iran have hit another peace talks blockage, taking the conflict to the brink of war again. US President Donald Trump slammed Iran’s demands as ‘totally unacceptable’ as Iran hit back, claiming their response was ‘not excessive.’ Under fresh proposals the US demanded Iran agree not to develop a nuclear weapon and halt enrichment of uranium.
In return the US would lift sanctions and release billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets. Both sides, which have imposed competing blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, would reopen the critical waterway within 30 days of signing. It is believed Iran’s counter-response included a demand for an end to the war on all fronts including between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah.
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Iran wanted the first stage of negotiations to focus on ending hostilities and “maritime security” first in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Only then would it move on to a second stage in talks which would include its nuclear programme.
It is also believed Iran also said it was willing to suspend enrichment of uranium, but for a shorter period than the 20-years proposed by the US, they said. And sources suggest Iran rejected dismantling its nuclear facilities.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry branded the US demands ‘unreasonable’ as Israel stepped up attacks on Lebanese Hezbollah. Tehran’s Foreign Ministry claimed they had offered to free up the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for freeing up frozen Iranian assets.
A fresh bombardment of Lebanon over the past 24 hours killed at least 51 people, including two medical workers. A separate Israel-Lebanon ceasefire brokered by the US is into its third week, whilst the Iran ceasefire started on April 8.
Trump said he has read Iran’s proposal and stormed: “I don’t like it”. He said: “I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘Representatives.’
“I don’t like it — totally unacceptable..” At a news conference on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei insisted Iran had offered to unblock the Strait of Hormuz.
He called for an end to the war across the region and the release of frozen Iranian assets abroad in response to the latest US proposal. Baghaei said: “We did not demand any concessions.
“Our demand is legitimate: demanding an end to the war, lifting the blockade and piracy, and releasing Iranian assets that have been unjustly frozen in banks due to US pressure. Safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and establishing security in the region and Lebanon were other demands of Iran, which are considered a generous and responsible offer for regional security.”
It is believed one sticking point might be that the US and Israel do not consider Lebanon to be part of any peace deal with Iran. And Baghaei added a warning to European countries such as the UK who are moving ships further towards the Gulf to help secure it if as peace settlement is agreed.
He said: “They should refrain from making any move that would undermine their interests. As I’ve said, this war is not only unethical, but it is also unlawful. The US and Israel started their aggression against Iran. These European countries shouldn’t be fooled in order to get into this matter.
“Any intervention in the Strait of Hormuz or the Persian Gulf would bring about further complications. They would rather exacerbate the prices. We look forward to the world countries acting responsibly.”
