Iranian official: Khamenei rejects ceasefire proposals with Washington

A high-ranking Iranian official announced today that the Supreme Leader rejected proposals conveyed by two mediating countries to Tehran aimed at de-escalating tensions or reaching a ceasefire with the United States.

The official, who requested anonymity, told Reuters that Khamenei’s position regarding the response to the United States and Israel is “firm and very serious,” noting that this stance was expressed during the first meeting on foreign policy since the escalation intensified.

He added that the Supreme Leader believes “the time is not appropriate for peace until the United States and Israel are forced to submit, accept defeat, and pay compensation,” without clarifying whether he personally attended the meeting.

This comes as the war between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other enters its third week, with no signs of an imminent end, after resulting in the deaths of at least 2,000 people.

In a related context, the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, as allies of Washington have refused requests to reopen it, leading to rising energy prices and increasing concerns about inflation.

Earlier sources also reported that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump rejected diplomatic efforts by Middle Eastern allies to initiate negotiations aimed at ending the war with Iran.

ANHA