Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi suggested today that the United States' primary motive in negotiations may not be peace, writing in a post on X that "one cannot talk about a ceasefire while continuing the siege," UNN reports, citing CNN.
"When a party that has directly played a role in war, siege, sanctions, and threats through brute force rejects Iran's response solely because it is not a letter of surrender," Gharibabadi wrote, "it becomes clear that the main issue is not peace, but the imposition of political will through threats and pressure."
Addendum
The Deputy Minister stated on Saturday that Iran's 14-point counter-proposal is aimed at a "permanent end" to the war, and that "the ball is in the United States' court," according to state media outlet IRIB.
Yesterday, US President Donald Trump called Iran's proposal "stupid" and "unacceptable."
"Didn't read to the end" - Trump calls Iran's proposal "garbage"11.05.26, 19:40
"One cannot talk about a ceasefire while continuing the siege; talk about diplomacy while tightening sanctions; or discuss regional stability while providing political and military support to a regime that is the source of aggression and instability," Gharibabadi wrote in his statement.
The latter reproach likely refers to Israel, a US partner in the war with Iran.