In a statement by the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, it was stated that “there are no direct negotiations with the United States” and the claims by Donald Trump that President Massoud Pezeshkian had requested a ceasefire were “false.” Iran accused the United States on Wednesday, April 1, of having “maximalist and irrational demands” and denied requesting a ceasefire, as claimed by Donald Trump before his address to the American nation.
“Messages were received through intermediaries, including Pakistan, but there are no direct negotiations with the United States,” said the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esma’il Baghaei, as reported by the Isna news agency, describing Washington’s demands as “maximalist and irrational.”
Prior to this, Donald Trump had stated on his Truth Social network that his Iranian counterpart, Massoud Pezeshkian, had requested a ceasefire. These claims were dismissed as “false” by Esma’il Baghaei.
Massoud Pezeshkian had mentioned on Tuesday a desire “to end” the war, but listed requirements such as security guarantees and financial compensation. In an open letter to the American people, he stated on Wednesday that the Israeli-American attacks on his country’s energy infrastructure constituted “a war crime.”
Donald Trump urged NATO allies to “seize” the Strait of Hormuz
The American president also ruled out a ceasefire without the reopening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for Middle Eastern oil, the blockage of which by Iran destabilizes the global economy.
In his address to the nation, Donald Trump, who promised to strike Iran “very hard” in the next two to three weeks, also toughened his stance towards countries dependent on the Strait of Hormuz for their oil supply, many of which are allies in NATO. He accused them of not adequately supporting the United States in this conflict.
The near-closure of this maritime passage has led to a surge in oil prices, fueling fears of lasting inflation. The Revolutionary Guards, the ideological army of Iran, reiterated on Wednesday that the strait would remain closed to the country’s “enemies.” In this context, London announced a virtual meeting on Thursday involving about thirty countries ready to ensure security in the strait once hostilities cease.
