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Iran’s Esmaeil Baqaei Defends Tehran's Response to U.S. Proposal
(MENAFN) Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei defended Tehran's latest response to a US peace proposal on Monday, describing it as a constructive and responsible move by his government.
"We did not demand any concessions from the US, but rather called for an end to the war and a halt to maritime piracy against Iranian ships," Baqaei said in remarks published by a state-run news agency.
When pressed on reports of Qatar's involvement in back-channel diplomacy with Washington, Baqaei moved to clarify the mediation structure, stressing that "Pakistan continues its role as the official mediator."
"Pakistan, as the official mediator between Iran and the US, continues its activities in this regard," he stressed, acknowledging that other nations, including Qatar, are contributing perspectives to the broader process.
On the nature of diplomacy itself, the spokesman offered a pointed reminder: "the parties involved in a diplomatic process must act based on their national interests."
Baqaei also signaled that Tehran retains full discretion over when to fight and when to negotiate — Iran "will fight whenever necessary" and will seize diplomatic opportunities "whenever we see fit."
The statement follows Iran's formal submission Sunday of its reply to the latest US proposal, delivered through Pakistani mediators.
The diplomatic push comes against a volatile backdrop. US and Israeli forces launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, setting off a chain of retaliatory exchanges targeting Israel and US allies across the Gulf, alongside the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire brokered by Pakistan took hold on April 8, though subsequent negotiations in Islamabad collapsed without a permanent deal. President Donald Trump later extended the truce indefinitely, opening a window for sustained diplomatic efforts toward a lasting resolution.
"We did not demand any concessions from the US, but rather called for an end to the war and a halt to maritime piracy against Iranian ships," Baqaei said in remarks published by a state-run news agency.
When pressed on reports of Qatar's involvement in back-channel diplomacy with Washington, Baqaei moved to clarify the mediation structure, stressing that "Pakistan continues its role as the official mediator."
"Pakistan, as the official mediator between Iran and the US, continues its activities in this regard," he stressed, acknowledging that other nations, including Qatar, are contributing perspectives to the broader process.
On the nature of diplomacy itself, the spokesman offered a pointed reminder: "the parties involved in a diplomatic process must act based on their national interests."
Baqaei also signaled that Tehran retains full discretion over when to fight and when to negotiate — Iran "will fight whenever necessary" and will seize diplomatic opportunities "whenever we see fit."
The statement follows Iran's formal submission Sunday of its reply to the latest US proposal, delivered through Pakistani mediators.
The diplomatic push comes against a volatile backdrop. US and Israeli forces launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, setting off a chain of retaliatory exchanges targeting Israel and US allies across the Gulf, alongside the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire brokered by Pakistan took hold on April 8, though subsequent negotiations in Islamabad collapsed without a permanent deal. President Donald Trump later extended the truce indefinitely, opening a window for sustained diplomatic efforts toward a lasting resolution.
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