Iran has rejected a ceasefire proposal reportedly advanced by U.S. President Donald Trump through Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, dealing a major setback to Washington’s latest diplomatic effort as the conflict between the two countries continues to escalate.
According to The New York Times, citing Iranian and Iraqi officials familiar with the negotiations, Al-Zaidi carried the proposal to Tehran after a recent meeting with Trump at the White House. However, Iranian leaders reportedly dismissed the offer, arguing that it amounted to a temporary pause in hostilities without addressing the broader strategic dispute over control of the Strait of Hormuz—a critical global oil shipping route.
The reported rejection comes just days after Trump publicly declared that Iran was “begging” for a deal, portraying Tehran as eager to negotiate. Iran’s latest response appears to contradict that narrative, with officials insisting they would not accept what they described as an incomplete agreement that leaves core security concerns unresolved.
The diplomatic setback unfolds amid an increasingly volatile military confrontation. Trump has warned that the United States is prepared to intensify military operations if Tehran refuses to compromise, while Iranian officials have vowed to retaliate against any further attacks on their territory or strategic infrastructure.
Analysts say the collapse of the latest mediation effort significantly narrows the prospects for an immediate de-escalation and raises fears that the conflict could expand across the Middle East, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining at the center of the dispute due to its importance to global energy supplies.