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Iran declared on Monday that it will not negotiate with the United States as long as Washington maintains its ultimatums, a stance that raises tensions just hours before the deadline set by President Donald Trump for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
"Negotiation is not at all compatible with ultimatums, crimes, or threats to commit war crimes", stated the spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Ismail Bagaei, during a press conference held in Tehran, as reported by the BBC.
The diplomat also dismissed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire, which he referred to, according to EFE, as "a pause to regroup and rearm in order to continue the crime".
Bagaei specified that the 15-point plan sent by Washington through mediators "was in no way acceptable" to Iran, and announced that Tehran has developed its own counterproposal based on its own interests and red lines.
"We knew from the beginning what we wanted and what the red lines were that we were not willing to cross, and our position is clear even now," said the spokesperson, as quoted by the state agency IRNA, adding that Iran will announce the details of its response "in due time."
The Iranian position demands a complete end to the war with guarantees against recurrence, the cessation of targeted killings, compensation for the damages incurred, and the recognition of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz.
The announcement comes amid reports from the Axios portal, which cites four U.S., Israeli, and regional sources, indicating that the terms of a potential 45-day ceasefire are being discussed in two phases, facilitated by Pakistani, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators, as well as through direct text messages between Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
For the negotiators, the total reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a solution for Iran's highly enriched uranium are essential conditions to reach any agreement.
Iran, however, maintains its intention to extend control over the strait beyond the conflict and is preparing a law to impose a toll system on ships wishing to cross it.
Trump threatened yesterday to unleash hell if Iran does not reopen the passage before 8:00 PM on Tuesday, April 7, in Washington, while he stated in an interview with Channel 12 that he is in deep negotiations with Tehran and confident of reaching an agreement in time.
The conflict is framed within Operation Epic Fury, launched by the United States and Israel with the declared goal of eliminating the Iranian nuclear program, and which has already resulted in more than 5,000 targeted strikes, including nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow.
The sources consulted by Axios describe the chances of an agreement as slim, but they regard it as the last opportunity to prevent a dramatic escalation before the ultimatum expires.
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