FM spox: Tehran offers ‘reasonable, generous’ reply to US
‘The only thing we have demanded is Iran’s legitimate rights’
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Monday that Tehran’s response to US peace proposal was “reasonable and generous” after the US president rejected it as "completely unacceptable."
Esmail Baqaei said that, "We did not demand any concessions. The only thing we have demanded is Iran's legitimate rights.”
“Is it unreasonable for Iran to demand an end to the war in the region, a halt to maritime piracy against Iranian ships, and the release of assets belonging to the Iranian people that have been unjustly blocked for years?” Baqaei asked.
"Is our proposal for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz unreasonable? Is establishing peace and security across the entire region irresponsible?" Baqaei said.
"Everything we proposed in the plan was reasonable and generous, and it is for the good of the region and the world," he further said.
He expressed regret that the American side, based on a mindset shaped by the Israeli regime, continues to insist on unreasonable demands.
Baqaei added that all of Iran's points were supposed to be discussed, but the US side has so far refused to engage with them in good faith.
A report by IRIB said that Iran has demanded full compensation for war damages, lifting of all sanctions imposed on Iran, release of frozen Iranian assets and the recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
US President Donald Trump reacted to Tehran's formal response to the American side, calling it "completely unacceptable."
Trump also told Axios in an interview that he has discussed Iran's response with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Baqaei’s remarks came as regional efforts are underway to end the ongoing tensions in the region, which have been caused by a US-Israeli aggression against Iran on February 28.
On April 11–12, Iran and the United States held the first round of negotiations brokered by Pakistan, days after Islamabad mediated a ceasefire to halt the aggression on Iran. However, it failed to produce an agreement due to the US excessive demands.
Efforts to bring back the sides to the negotiating table also failed after Iran refused to take part in the second round due to the US violation of the ceasefire.
However, the two countries have been exchanging proposals through mediator Pakistan to find a way out of the crisis which has also disrupted global economy.
Iran submitted its response to the American side's proposed text earlier on Sunday.
Tehran has repeatedly emphasized that at this stage, negotiations will only focus on ending the war in the region, rejecting any talks on Iran’s nuclear program.