Iran and US Reject Talks Terms, Raising Fears of Prolonged Conflict and Hunger
Iran and the US have rejected each other's terms for peace talks, escalating tensions and raising fears of prolonged conflict. Iran demands the release of frozen assets and an end to the US blockade, while Trump calls Iran's counter-offer «TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.» This stalemate threatens a humanitarian crisis, potentially pushing 45 million more people into hunger, and could disrupt global energy markets for years.
Iran announced Monday its demands for peace talks, including the release of frozen assets and an end to the US blockade of its ports. This followed US President Donald Trump's rejection of Tehran’s terms for halting the Middle East war, which he called «TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE» in a social media post.
The exchange heightened fears of renewed conflict in the Gulf, causing oil prices to surge by over four percent before a slight drop. Saudi Aramco CEO Amin Nasser warned that the energy supply shock, the largest ever, could last until 2027 if the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted. UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva cautioned that a massive humanitarian crisis is imminent, potentially forcing 45 million more people into hunger due to shortages of food and fertilizer from Gulf ports.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stated that Tehran demanded its legitimate rights, including the release of assets trapped in foreign banks and an end to the US naval blockade and the war «across the region.» Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted the conflict would not end until Iran's nuclear facilities are destroyed. Iran's counter-proposal reportedly included diluting some highly enriched uranium and transferring the rest to a third country, with guarantees for its return if negotiations failed.
Amid the stalemate, Iran is restricting maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and establishing a toll system, while the US Navy continues its blockade of Iranian ports. A spokesman for Iran's parliament warned that their restraint is over, threatening a strong response to any attack on Iranian vessels.