Iran rejects US ceasefire proposal delivered by Iraqi PM

Iran has formally rejected a renewed ceasefire proposal from the United States, delivered through Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, officials confirmed on July 23. The rejection marks a significant setback in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate a sharp rise in hostilities between the two nations in recent weeks.

The proposal was conveyed by al-Zaidi during a visit to Tehran, which followed his recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. The Iraqi prime minister met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Speaker and top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. While the specific terms of the proposed ceasefire were not disclosed, Iranian officials indicated the offer was the only one currently on the table and was deemed unacceptable because it did not resolve the core issue of control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

In comments to state media, Foreign Minister Araghchi characterized the diplomatic exchange as routine, stating it was natural for al-Zaidi to convey his views from the Washington trip. However, Araghchi sharply criticized the underlying U.S. posture, describing the American approach as irrational, excessive,...