Tehran, May 11 — Iran says the United States must abandon a “one-sided approach” and accept what Tehran describes as its legitimate demands to defuse regional tensions. Speaking at a press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei outlined Iran’s conditions: an end to the war, lifting of blockades, a halt to acts of maritime piracy, and the return of Iranian assets frozen in foreign banks under U.S. pressure.
Baghaei said Iran’s response to the U.S. proposal was aimed at protecting national interests while also promoting regional and global stability. He described Iran’s package as both reasonable and generous, and said it offers a framework for broader security: safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and steps to stabilize Lebanon were cited as additional elements.
Rejecting accusations that Iran behaves coercively, Baghaei insisted Tehran is a responsible regional power. “We are not bullies; we are anti-bullying,” he said, arguing that Iran has not pursued the kinds of interventions the U.S. has in other parts of the world.
He accused Washington of maintaining a “maximum pressure” policy and warned that continued unilateral demands and outside interference would worsen the situation. Baghaei urged that security in the Gulf should be maintained by regional states themselves and warned that external involvement in Hormuz would only complicate security.
Linking recent disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz to American actions, Baghaei said the waterway had been open before February 28 and blamed U.S. moves for the subsequent instability.
The remarks came after Iran submitted its written response to a U.S. de-escalation proposal via Pakistani intermediaries, state media reported. According to the Iranian account, the current phase of talks would focus on ending the war in the region.
U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Tehran’s reply on social media, calling the response “totally unacceptable.” Trump posted that he disliked what he called the reply from Iran’s “representatives.”
Iranian officials say their response reflects a careful review and reiterate that their demands are aimed at both national security and regional peace. The diplomatic exchange follows weeks of heightened tensions in West Asia and the Gulf and signals a continued, if cautious, channel of communication between Tehran and Washington.
