Iran Sends Formal Response to US Peace Proposal Amidst Tensions

Kathmandu. Iran has sent its formal response to the proposal put forth by the United States to end the war. According to Iranian media, this response was sent through Pakistan's mediation.

However, neither side has publicly disclosed the detailed specifics of the proposal and the response. The US proposal is said to be based on a 14-point memorandum of understanding focused on Iran's nuclear ambitions.

The war that erupted after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran in February is currently in a state of ceasefire. Despite sporadic gunfire, the ceasefire has been largely observed to create an environment for dialogue.

However, Iran continues to obstruct the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global waterway, causing fuel prices to skyrocket in the world market. On the other hand, the US is blockading Iranian ports to pressure Iran into accepting its terms.

Iran has strongly objected to the US blockade. On Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared on social media platform X that they would never bow their heads to enemies.

He stated, 'We will never bow our heads to the enemy, and if the talk is of dialogue or negotiation, it does not mean surrender or backing down. Rather, our goal is to defend the rights of the Iranian nation and protect national interests with firm power.'

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has claimed that the war with Iran will end soon and that he has the support of many in his objective to end Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

According to the US news agency Axios, the US's 14-point proposal includes provisions such as suspending Iran's nuclear enrichment, lifting sanctions, and resuming free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. However, a senior member of the Iranian parliament dismissed these conditions as merely a 'wish list.' Iranian military spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia warned that ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz would face severe consequences if they did not coordinate with Tehran.

In the last few hours, increased military activity has been observed in the Gulf region. A cargo ship near Doha, Qatar, caught fire after being hit, with Iranian media claiming the ship was flying the US flag.

Similarly, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have stated that their air defense systems destroyed drones coming from Iran. Meanwhile, more than 40 nations' defense ministers, led by the UK and France, are meeting on Monday to ensure the security of commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump had warned on May 6 that if Iran did not come to an agreement, the intensity of bombing would be many times greater than before.