Iran has insisted that the United States must meet a series of conditions before the two countries can reach an agreement to end their eight-month conflict, including lifting sanctions and ending military operations.

Tehran has also offered to reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours if Washington accepts its demands.

Also read: FG suspends broadcast licence fee reviews indefinitely

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi outlined the country’s position on Tuesday in an interview with the state-run IRNA news agency, arguing that military pressure and additional sanctions would not resolve the crisis.

“The conflict with Iran will not be resolved through military means, nor by intensifying sanctions,” Araghchi said.

He maintained that diplomacy based on mutual respect remained the only viable route to ending the hostilities, urging Washington to address the conditions presented in Iran’s proposal.

The proposal requires the United States to end the war on all fronts, unfreeze Iranian assets, lift sanctions on Iranian oil and terminate its blockade of Iranian ports.

In return, Tehran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days, potentially easing disruptions along one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.

The Iranian position comes amid indications from US President Donald Trump that diplomatic efforts could be making progress.

Trump on Monday expressed optimism about the possibility of ending the conflict after hosting Qatar’s prime minister at the White House.

In a social media statement, he said discussions had recorded positive progress, while insisting that Washington would continue to protect its national interests.

“We are seeing positive momentum toward an end to this conflict, and will ensure that America’s interests are at all times protected,” Trump said.

The US president also maintained that America remained prepared for military action, describing further strikes as unlikely because some of its key Gulf allies preferred the current situation.

Qatar and Pakistan are reportedly leading diplomatic efforts to secure a settlement between Washington and Tehran.

The war began in late February following US-Israeli military strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

However, Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, adopted a more confrontational tone, urging the United States to surrender rather than continue the conflict.

Rezaei, who heads Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, accused Washington of presenting misleading accounts of negotiations in a post on X.

The war on Iran has already wrecked the US government.

But Washington flails like a desperate gambler.

FOLD YOUR HAND.

STOP manufacturing FAKE NEWS about imaginary talks, he wrote.

The Strait of Hormuz has remained a major point of contention because of its importance to global oil transportation and international trade.

Any agreement that restores unrestricted movement through the waterway could have significant implications for energy supplies, shipping costs and international markets.