'We Came for Peace, Not War': Iran Hits Back After Trump Snubs Hormuz Ceasefire Plan

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-09-28 15:19:00

Amid escalating diplomatic standoff and unyielding military tensions between Washington and Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has issued a direct clarification on the global stage, stating that the Iranian delegation traveled to New York to secure lasting peace rather than escalate conflict. Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) sessions, Araghchi affirmed that while the Islamic Republic remains fully mobilized for the resumption of even a destructive confrontation if provoked, its core priority in the United States remains pursuing genuine diplomacy. The top diplomat's firm remarks come in immediate response to US President Donald Trump’s outright rejection of Tehran’s latest comprehensive proposal designed to halt regional hostilities and restore full international commercial navigation through the vital Strait of Hormuz.

Araghchi on 'Meet the Press': Ball in Trump's Court as Hormuz Talks Dominate UN Agenda

In an exclusive interaction with NBC's Meet the Press, Araghchi outlined the parameters of Iran’s multilateral engagements in the United States:

Commitment to De-escalation: Araghchi emphasized that both he and President Masoud Pezeshkian crossed the Atlantic to participate in the UN General Assembly to present Iran's principled positions on recent military strikes by the US and Israel, insisting their mandate is de-escalation rather than fueling a broader war.

Preparedness for Full-Scale Conflict: Underscoring Tehran’s strategic deterrence, Araghchi stated that armed forces are fully prepared should hostilities resume, warning that any new offensive could trigger a devastating regional confrontation, but affirmed, "We are also ready for true diplomacy. The decision is for President Trump."

Focus on Maritime Reopening: The foreign minister revealed that bilateral and multilateral engagements conducted in New York have been centered on establishing reciprocal security and economic conditions necessary to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for unrestricted maritime traffic.

Ghalibaf Rebuts Washington's Narrative: Flags Soaring Crude Prices Over Chokepoint Control

Escalating the war of words from Tehran, the Iranian legislative leadership directly disputed Washington’s assertions regarding maritime leverage:

Speaker Challenges White House Claims: Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf took to social media to confront American assertions downplaying Iran's tactical authority along the Persian Gulf, questioning how the White House can dismiss Iranian naval dominance when global crude oil prices surged dramatically from $35 to $50 per barrel amid the maritime standoff.

The Energy Market Verdict: Framing the economic disruption, Ghalibaf argued that the global market's volatile price reaction proves Tehran's geopolitical leverage, asserting, "Either the market is fooled or the US is lying."

Trump's Rejection of Terms: Prolonged Standoff Threatens Global Oil Shipments

The diplomatic friction underscores the wide divide persisting in bilateral peace negotiations:

Dismissal of Compromise Proposal: President Trump rejected Tehran's formal roadmap to end regional fighting, alleging that the Iranian leadership agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz only because economic sanctions and military isolation pushed it into vulnerability.

Core Hurdle in Bilateral Dialogue: Despite persistent backchannel discussions over several months, the standoff over the Strait of Hormuz—the transit conduit for approximately 20 percent of global petroleum consumption—remains the central deadlock preventing any formalized ceasefire agreement between Washington and Tehran.

Previous Post

Another attack in the Persian Gulf, British ship catches fire near Qatar