Iran has conveyed its response to a United States proposal aimed at ending the ongoing regional conflict, signalling that Tehran is prepared to pursue diplomacy but only under firm guarantees that future hostilities will be prevented.
According to Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Tehran delivered its response through Pakistan, which has emerged as a key mediator in efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East.
Iran’s message reportedly focused on ending what it described as a war “imposed by the United States and the Zionist regime” across multiple fronts, particularly in Lebanon, where cross-border violence has continued despite a ceasefire agreement reached in April.
Thirty-nine people have been killed in another day of intense Israeli strikes in Lebanon, the country’s health ministry said. One Israeli strike on the southern town of Saksakiyeh killed at least seven people, including a child, the ministry said.
The developments come amid mounting international concern over the stability of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important energy corridors through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies normally pass.
Iranian officials say the country is now focused on securing binding assurances before engaging in broader negotiations over maritime access and regional security.
Iran argues that it has faced repeated attacks during periods of active diplomacy and wants guarantees from regional powers and the United Nations Security Council that such escalation will not recur.
Only after achieving a framework for long-term stability, Iranian officials say, can discussions move toward resolving disputes over navigation and security arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran has also indicated that its armed forces are tightening operational oversight in the waterway and establishing new mechanisms governing maritime transit.
At the same time, Iranian authorities insist they retain full sovereignty and legal rights over activities within their territorial waters.
An Iranian military official warned that countries enforcing sanctions or maritime restrictions against Iran could “face problems” when their vessels transit the strait.
Earlier, Tehran warned it could launch a “heavy assault” on US military assets in the region if Iranian ships faced further attacks during the current ceasefire period.
Pakistani officials confirmed receipt of Iran’s response, underscoring Islamabad’s growing role as an intermediary between Tehran and Washington.
The diplomatic push has gained urgency ahead of US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to China, one of the largest importers of Iranian oil and a major stakeholder in Gulf stability.
While US officials have suggested that a settlement could potentially be reached through direct communication, it remains unclear whether another formal round of negotiations will take place.
Regional diplomats say the coming days could prove decisive in determining whether the conflict moves toward a negotiated settlement or further confrontation.
Despite signalling openness to diplomacy, Iranian leaders continue to project defiance in public statements.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said negotiations should not be interpreted as weakness.
“We will never bow our heads before the enemy, and if dialogue or negotiation arises, it does not mean surrender or retreat,” Pezeshkian wrote on social media platform X.
“The goal is to uphold the rights of the Iranian nation and defend national interests with resolute strength,” he added.
The remarks reflect Tehran’s attempt to balance domestic political messaging with international diplomatic engagement at a time of heightened regional uncertainty.
Although Iran has significantly tightened restrictions on non-Iranian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, limited maritime movement has resumed under Iranian supervision.
After nearly 48 hours of relative calm following sporadic clashes last week, several Gulf states reported hostile drone activity on Sunday, highlighting the fragile security environment despite the month-old ceasefire.
Still, some vessels managed to pass safely through the strait.
The QatarEnergy-operated LNG carrier Al Kharaitiyat successfully transited the waterway en route to Pakistan’s Port Qasim, according to shipping analytics firm Kpler. It was reportedly the first Qatari liquefied natural gas carrier to cross the strait since the conflict escalated in late February.
Sources familiar with the arrangement said Iran approved the shipment as part of confidence-building efforts involving both Qatar and Pakistan.
The conflict has increasingly become a political and economic challenge for Washington, with rising global oil prices fuelling concerns over inflation and economic disruption.
The US imposed a blockade on Iranian vessels last month, but intelligence assessments reportedly suggest Tehran could withstand significant economic pressure for several more months.
A senior US intelligence official later disputed reports regarding the extent of Iran’s economic vulnerability, highlighting uncertainty within Washington over the effectiveness of current pressure tactics.
The United States has also struggled to build broad international backing for military measures in the Gulf.
Several NATO allies have reportedly declined to participate in operations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz without a wider internationally mandated peace framework.
Following talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Rubio publicly questioned why some allies were reluctant to support US-led efforts to guarantee maritime access.
Meanwhile, United Kingdom officials said Britain is preparing to deploy a warship to the Middle East as part of potential multinational efforts to secure navigation routes once conditions stabilise.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the focus now shifts to whether regional mediation can produce a durable arrangement that addresses both Iran’s security concerns and international demands for free passage through one of the world’s most vital maritime chokepoints.
