Iran defends two-day proposal for peace talks after US rejects conditions
USO•Iran defended its proposal to restart peace talks in as few as two days after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called some conditions “outrageous and ridiculous.” Iran says negotiations should follow an end to hostilities, the lifting of a naval blockade and the waiving of sanctions.
1. Iran defends proposal
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei called the two-day proposal the most reasonable offer on the table. He questioned whether it was unreasonable for Iran to demand that U.S. sanctions and its naval blockade be lifted before negotiations begin, and that the war end on all fronts.
2. Earlier proposal and Iraq
Iran shortened the proposed restart timeline from seven days. Its conditions include halting hostilities, lifting a blockade and waiving sanctions. Baghaei also said U.S. pressure on Iraq to close most of its borders with Iran should not affect ties with Baghdad, and dismissed a U.S. military task force aimed at restricting Iran’s land trade as a diversion after Republicans lost in midterm elections.
