Iran has denied asking for a ceasefire or negotiations with the United States, contradicting claims made by Donald Trump that Tehran wanted to reach a deal.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the country “never asked even for negotiation” to end the ongoing conflict.
In separate remarks, Araghchi said Iran was open to discussions with countries seeking safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route that has been severely disrupted by the war.
The strait, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, has effectively been closed to many vessels amid escalating hostilities. Iran has reportedly attacked ships and begun laying naval mines in the area, raising global concerns about energy supplies and pushing up oil and gas prices.
Several countries, including the United Kingdom, Japan, China and South Korea, are considering how to respond after Trump urged them to deploy warships to help secure the strategic waterway.
In an interview with NBC News, Trump said the conditions for a deal with Iran were “not good enough yet”. He added that any agreement would require Iran to completely abandon its nuclear weapons ambitions.
Meanwhile, Chris Wright said the war involving the US, Israel and Iran could end within the next few weeks, even as gas prices in the United States continue to rise.
In neighbouring Lebanon, the health ministry said Israeli attacks since 2 March have killed about 850 people, including more than 100 children.
The Israel Defense Forces said it launched extensive airstrikes across western Iran after detecting Iranian missile launches targeting Israel. The Israeli military also warned residents in several neighbourhoods in the southern suburbs of Beirut to evacuate immediately ahead of possible strikes.
Elsewhere in the region, oil-loading operations at Fujairah Port in the United Arab Emirates have reportedly resumed after the facility was hit by a drone strike on Saturday.
Araghchi also dismissed rumours about the health of Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, saying he is “in good health” and fully managing the situation. In his NBC interview, Trump questioned whether the 56-year-old leader was “even alive”.
Meanwhile, United States Central Command rejected Iran’s accusations that the US is launching drone attacks against Gulf countries. In a statement on social media, the command described the allegation as false.
Centcom said Iranian forces had launched thousands of drones and missiles at neighbouring countries, targeting civilian locations such as hotels, airports, residential areas and economic infrastructure. It added that US drones were only targeting Iranian military capabilities to neutralise threats in the region.
However, Iranian humanitarian organisations have reported widespread civilian damage. The Iranian Red Crescent Society said more than 19,000 residential buildings across the country have been damaged or destroyed during the conflict.
