Iran has dismissed the United States' response to its peace proposal as "not convincing", casting doubt on hopes of a quick deal to end the war, a day after new US strikes near the Strait of Hormuz.
Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said on X on Tuesday, November 3, that Washington's answer fell short and that Iran's seven conditions must be fully addressed before the strait reopens.
What Iran wants
According to reports, Iran's demands include US compensation for war damage, an end to American economic pressure and the lifting of the naval blockade on Iranian ports. Tehran has also said the war on Lebanon should end.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which a large share of the world's seaborne oil normally passes, has been effectively closed since the war began in February.
Strikes and talks
The statement came a day after US forces struck targets on Iran's Qeshm Island, which US officials described as a limited, defensive response after Iran's Revolutionary Guard fired on a US aircraft. President Donald Trump said on the eve of the election that a deal "could happen".
Qatar and Pakistan are continuing to mediate. Iran has proposed cutting the time needed to carry out a deal to two days, from seven. Iranian negotiators left talks in Doha at the weekend, with a draft under discussion.
After the midterms
Trump had said he would not launch new attacks before Tuesday's vote, but he has not ruled out further military action, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly urged more strikes afterwards. Now that the elections are over, and Trump's party has lost control of Congress, attention is turning to what he does next. He acknowledged on Wednesday that the war may have contributed to Republican losses.
A Democratic Congress could also try to limit the war through funding or war powers votes, although Trump could veto such measures.
Current Oil prices
Oil traders are watching closely. Brent crude rose about 0.8 percent to around $104 a barrel on Wednesday, reversing earlier falls, as investors weighed the uncertainty, according to CNBC. Prices remain well above pre-war levels, keeping pressure on fuel costs around the world.
Sources and references
- 1.Iran dismisses U.S. response to peace proposal as 'not convincing' — Yahoo News
- 2.Iran plays down hope for deal to end war after new U.S. strikes on eve of midterm elections — CBS News
- 3.Oil rises on Iran war uncertainty after Trump's Republicans face election rout — CNBC
- 4.Iran rejects US response to peace proposal, insists on its seven conditions — Arutz Sheva
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