Iran Lays Out Conditions for US to Halt Eight-Month Conflict

Tehran, on Tuesday, called upon the United States to agree to its conditions concerning a proposal to unblock the Strait of Hormuz. This development follows President Donald Trump's recent remarks suggesting a “positive momentum” towards resolving the ongoing eight-month conflict between the two nations.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking to Iran's IRNA news agency, emphasized that “The conflict with Iran will not be resolved through military means, nor by intensifying sanctions.” He further asserted that “The only solution is to adopt a language of respect, engage in diplomacy, and address Iran’s demands and conditions — which were outlined in the two-day proposal and remain on the table.”

Iran's capital, Tehran, has put forth a proposition to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz, a waterway it has kept blockaded since the commencement of hostilities. This reopening, proposed to occur within two days, is contingent upon Washington fulfilling several key requirements. These stipulations encompass a complete cessation of the war across all fronts, the release of frozen Iranian assets, the removal of oil sanctions, and the termination of the US counter-blockade against Iranian ports.

Meanwhile, President Trump, whose Republican party recently experienced losses in the midterm elections, partly attributed to the war's impact, indicated on Monday that he observed “positive momentum” towards ending the hostilities. His comments came after a meeting with Qatar’s prime minister at the White House. Through a social media post, President Trump reaffirmed the US was “locked and loaded” but suggested that additional military strikes were “quite unlikely.” He cited that important US allies in the Gulf region “would prefer the status quo.” Trump added, “We are seeing positive momentum toward an end to this conflict, and will ensure that America’s interests are at all times protected.”

Mediating efforts, spearheaded by Qatar and Pakistan, are currently in progress to facilitate a resolution to the conflict. This war originated in late February following US-Israeli strikes that resulted in the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Adding to the discourse on Tuesday, Mohsen Rezaei, Iran’s security chief and head of the Supreme National Security Council, posted on X, urging Washington to “surrender” to Iran's conditions. Rezaei stated, “The war on Iran has already wrecked the US government. But Washington flails like a desperate gambler. FOLD YOUR HAND. STOP manufacturing FAKE NEWS about imaginary talks.”