(TNND) — Iran has responded to the most recent U.S. ceasefire proposal via Pakistani mediators, who confirmed retrieval. The country’s focus remains permanently ending the war, according to Iran state-run media.
Iran hopes to end the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon, which is the setting for ongoing fights between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group. Washington’s latest proposal addressed a deal to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and scale back Iran’s nuclear program — an issue that has been at the forefront of negotiations.
While the White House has had no immediate comment on Iran’s reply, President Donald Trump is giving diplomacy “every change we possible have before going back to hostilities,” according to U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz.
A state broadcaster for Iran, reported that Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, “issued new and decisive directives for the continuation of operations and the powerful confrontation with the enemies,” while meeting with the head of the joint military command.
Khamenei has not been seen or heard publicly since the war began.
The fragile ceasefire has been tested by drones, notably when a drone started a small fire on a ship off Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait reported drones entering their airspace. While no casualties were reported, the UAE blamed Iran. No one has claimed responsibility.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry called the incident a “dangerous and unacceptable escalation that threatens the security and safety of maritime trade routes and vital supplies in the region.”
Meanwhile, Trump has repeatedly issued threats to resume full-scale attacks if Iran does not accept an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and scale back its nuclear program.
Iran’s highly enriched uranium is another point of contention in negotiations.
The country has maintained protective measures over its nuclear sites, with an Iranian military spokesperson telling state media that its forces are on “full readiness” to protect sites where uranium is stored.
Mediations continue to be pursued as the war enters its fourth month since strikes first began on February 28.