Tehran confirms receiving de-escalation proposals from mediators
Iran confirmed the receipt of proposals from “certain” mediators aimed at preventing further escalation of tensions with the United States.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said during his weekly press briefing on Monday that mediators are actively striving to prevent further escalation and have conveyed proposals to Tehran, but he did not give further details.
He added that while Iran’s armed forces continue to respond “firmly and decisively” to the source of the US aggression, the country's diplomatic apparatus is fully aware of its duties and spares no effort to fulfill them.
The Iranian spokesperson emphasized that the diplomatic apparatus remains fully aligned with the armed forces and continues to pursue its duties in defending the country's interests.
The United States has perpetrated numerous violations against Iranian territory since April 8, when US President Donald Trump announced a unilateral ceasefire in the latest bout of wholesale American-Israeli aggression targeting the Islamic Republic.
The violations continued even after Washington and Tehran signed a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding in June, whose first clause clearly mandates cessation of aggression on all fronts.
Since July 11, the US has launched new strikes on Iran on the pretext of alleged Iran’s attacks on ships in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which is a major source of contention between the two countries.
Baqaei’s confirmation follows reports that Qatar has floated a 10-day ceasefire plan between Iran and the US following Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's recent visit to Doha.
Baqaei said Iran has never been the first party to breach the war-ending MoU; however, Washington’s breaches of its commitments prompted Tehran’s reciprocal response.
US not seeking de-escalation
Iran's Parliament speaker also reacted to remarks by the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claiming that his country remains open to a diplomatic solution with Iran, saying that the US military build-up in the region proves Washington does not seek de-escalation.
“Americans keep bringing new military equipment to the region and claim they want to stop the war. They have bet on our intelligence being as low as their own IQ,” Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said in a post on X.
“We have reached the stage of mastery in recognizing these American games, and on that basis, we have prepared ourselves. Actions must substantiate claims, not contradict them.”
Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni also arrived in mediator Pakistan's capital on Monday at the invitation of the country’s Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi.
During the visit, the two sides are due to discuss ways to deepen bilateral ties, including strengthening border cooperation and expanding collaboration in trade, transit and agriculture through a series of meetings and joint sessions, according to Tasnim news agency.
Iraq's government also said its prime minister will soon visit Iran and Turkey as part of efforts to strengthen relations with neighboring countries, advance bilateral issues and help reduce regional tensions.