Iranian President Masoud Pezheskian has said Tehran will not shy away from dialogue with the United States, despite high tensions and a recent clash between the two countries. He said Iran is ready to negotiate while it examines Washington's response to his proposal to restore a ceasefire in the Persian Gulf. At the same time, Tehran is preparing scenarios for a stronger response if the United States launches another large-scale military campaign.
Foreign media reports that the plans considered by the Iranian leadership could include expanding the targets beyond American forces and assets in the region. Iranian officials have also discussed the possibility of a coordinated response with allied groups in Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq. According to the scenarios considered, the response could extend from the Strait of Hormuz to American interests in the Middle East and potentially beyond.
However, Tehran is trying to keep the diplomatic channel open. Through Qatari intermediaries, Iran has presented Washington with a proposal that envisages a cessation of hostilities, the lifting of the US blockade of Iranian ports, the unblocking of some Iranian assets and the easing of sanctions on the oil sector. US President Donald Trump has stated that he has rejected the proposal, while Washington's response has been conveyed to Tehran via Qatar and is currently being reviewed by Iranian authorities.
One of the main issues of discussion remains Iran's nuclear program. Washington wants it to be included in the negotiations, while Tehran has set conditions for the start of talks. In addition to military pressure, the Iranian leadership also faces economic difficulties caused by sanctions and restrictions on oil exports. Internal tensions are another concern for the authorities, at a time when the country is facing economic and political uncertainty. At the moment, no final decision has been made on a new military response, while diplomatic efforts and preparations for a possible escalation are taking place in parallel.
