ISLAMABAD: Iran’s proposal to end war with the United States and reopen the Strait of Hormuz was legitimate and generous, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said during a press conference on Monday, adding that the US continued to uphold unreasonable and one-sided demands.
“Our demand is legitimate: demanding an end to the war, lifting the [US] blockade and piracy, and releasing Iranian assets that have been unjustly frozen in banks due to US pressure,” Baghaei said.
“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.”
Baghaei said that stability and security in the region had been “undermined” following US President Donald Trump’s rejection of Tehran’s response to its proposal.
He added that the US continued to have “unreasonable demands”, adding that Iran’s response to Trump’s proposal, which Tehran sent to Pakistan yesterday, “was not excessive”.
“Whenever we are forced to fight, we will fight and whenever there is room for diplomacy, we will seize that opportunity,” Baghaei added, according to Al Jazeera.
“However, diplomacy have has its own rules. The decision will be based on our national interests and Iran has proven that we are keen on, safeguarding our people’s interests.”
When asked about Trump’s upcoming visit to China, Baghaei said Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Beijing last week and conveyed Tehran’s views, Al Jazeera reported
“China is fully aware that this was a war of necessity. It was a war imposed on Iran. It was not an emergency incident, yet it is a continuation of unilateral actions of the United States, which continues to violate international laws and regulations,” Baghaei said.
“To China, stability and security in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Far East are of top priority, and the Chinese would seize the opportunity to warn of any incalculable measures or unlawful acts by the United States, which would continue to undermine not only the regional security and stability but the global economic security,” he added.
