Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says the Islamic Republic’s Two-Day Plan remains on the table, describing it as a demonstration of the country’s goodwill and the “most rational” offer currently available for resolving the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz as a result of American violations.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Esmaeil Baghaei said the proposal could pave the way for restoration of security in the waterway within two days, provided the United States met Iran’s demands.
His remarks came in response to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s allegations that Iran’s demands were “very strange, ridiculous, and completely unrealistic” in some cases.
Baghaei questioned the US administration’s assessment of what constituted a “rational position,” noting that Washington appeared to regard Iran’s pursuit of its legitimate national rights and interests as “unacceptable.”
He then questioned what was “unreasonable” about Tehran’s demanding cessation of aggression on all fronts and its requiring Washington to lift its illegal naval blockade and sanctions and end its so-called “Operation Economic Outcast” targeting the Islamic Republic, before negotiations could commence.
“These are neither unlawful nor irrational demands. What is irrational and absurd is the United States attacking Iran in the middle of negotiations. By any logic, norm or standard by which this action is judged, the US attack was not merely absurd, unlawful, and irrational; it was criminal,” he said.
The official was referring to the last two rounds of unlawful American-Israeli aggression against Iran, both of which began when Tehran and Washington were engaged in supposed diplomatic processes, as well as American violations of a memorandum of understanding that was reached in June. “What was rational about the United States’ conduct when it even reneged on its own president’s signature?”
By contrast, Iran’s “Two-Day Plan is itself a demonstration of the utmost goodwill… Could there be a more rational offer than one under which, if the United States meets Iran’s demands, positive developments could unfold across the region within two days and security could be restored to the Strait of Hormuz? Could any other party put forward or propose a more rational plan?”
‘Let’s see if your administration lives to see morning’: Baghaei to Rubio
The spokesman also responded with a pointed remark to Rubio’s suggestion that the “Iran issue” should not be left to the next US administration.
“One has to ask: Which administration? Let us wait and see whether your administration lives to see the morning!”
Hormuz regulations
Baghaei said vessels seeking to transit the Strait of Hormuz must coordinate with the relevant Iranian authorities to ensure their safety.
The Islamic Republic closed the waterway following the launch of the latest round of unprovoked American-Israeli aggression on February 28. Tehran took the step in retaliation for the strait’s being used to facilitate attacks on Iranian soil.
The Islamic Republic and the United States agreed on a 60-day reopening period as part of the memorandum of understanding. Iran established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to implement the understanding, but American violations forced the country to reestablish the closure.
The spokesman said Iran has adopted measures to regulate traffic through the strait in its capacity as a coastal state, in accordance with international law, and to protect national security.
Baghaei attributed insecurity in the waterway to the aggressive actions of the US in support of the Israeli regime, noting that the strait had remained open until February 28.
He added that vessels attempting to navigate unsafe routes under US pressure or inducements frequently encountered incidents. “As long as the United States continues its interventionist and illegal actions, we will not witness restoration of security and safety in this waterway,” the official said.
US public discontent with war on Iran and support for Israel
The official said the American public had conveyed its message through midterm elections, noting that the war against Iran, alignment with the Israeli regime, and abandonment of the US administration’s proclaimed “America First” policy had contributed to public disillusionment with senior American officials.
He cautioned, however, against assuming that a new group of US officeholders would necessarily adopt a more favorable approach towards Iran, and warned that some US officials appeared to be attempting to appropriate or distort the message conveyed by the voters.
The spokesman dismissed any distinction between the two major US political camps from Iran’s perspective, saying both have targeted the Islamic Republic.
‘Iranian nation victors of the war’
Baghaei attributed the political and social repercussions of the war in the United States to Iranian resistance and resilience, saying that without Iran’s ability to withstand the aggression, the US administration could have presented the war to its domestic audience as a “victory.”
“Therefore, the people of Iran are the victors in this war,” he said.
‘US pressure can’t undermine longstanding Iran-Iraq ties’
Addressing US pressure on Iraq concerning the Arab country’s ties with Iran, Baghaei said external pressure, regardless of its intensity, could not undermine the longstanding bonds between the Iranian and Iraqi peoples.
“Iran and Iraq are two neighbors that have been, and will forever remain, neighbors,” he said, adding that governments and political actors might come and go, but the two nations would continue living alongside each other.
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website