Dubai, United Arab Emirates | November 9, 2026
Iran has defended its proposal to resume peace negotiations with the United States within two days, describing the offer as the most reasonable path towards ending the ongoing conflict, despite strong criticism from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The latest diplomatic disagreement highlights the continuing divide between Washington and Tehran over the conditions required to restart negotiations and secure a lasting end to hostilities.
Speaking during a weekly press conference on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei questioned why Tehran’s demands should be considered unreasonable, particularly its insistence that Washington lift economic sanctions and end its naval blockade before formal negotiations begin.
“Is it unreasonable that Iran demands that US illegal sanctions and its naval blockade must be lifted before negotiations start and that the war should end on all fronts?” Baghaei asked, responding to Rubio’s earlier remarks.
The Iranian spokesman was reacting to Rubio’s description of some of Tehran’s conditions as “outrageous and ridiculous,” reflecting Washington’s dissatisfaction with the proposal.
Iran Revises Its Negotiation Timeline
Iran’s latest offer reportedly reduces the proposed timeline for restarting negotiations from seven days to just two days.
However, Tehran maintains that the United States must first address several conditions, including ending hostilities, lifting its naval blockade and removing sanctions.
Iranian officials have presented these demands as necessary steps towards creating an environment in which meaningful diplomatic discussions can take place.
The United States, however, has expressed reservations about Tehran’s conditions, with Rubio indicating that significant disagreements remain and that a breakthrough is not imminent.
Diplomatic Differences Continue
The disagreement comes amid renewed efforts by regional and international mediators to prevent further escalation and bring both countries back to the negotiating table.
Qatar and Pakistan have been involved in diplomatic efforts, while other regional governments are also seeking ways to reduce tensions.
US President Donald Trump is also expected to discuss mediation efforts with Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, as diplomatic efforts continue.
Despite these initiatives, the positions of Washington and Tehran remain far apart, particularly over sanctions, military operations, maritime restrictions and the broader terms of a potential settlement.
Iraq Also Becomes Part Of The Dispute
During Monday’s press conference, Baghaei also addressed reported US pressure on Iraq to close most of its borders with Iran.
The Iranian spokesman argued that such pressure should not damage the relationship between Tehran and Baghdad, emphasising that relations between the neighbouring countries should remain unaffected by Washington’s policies.
He also criticised a US military task force intended to restrict Iran’s land trade, dismissing the initiative as a diversion.
Global Concerns Over A Prolonged Conflict
The diplomatic standoff carries implications beyond the United States and Iran, particularly for energy markets, international shipping and regional security.
Continued tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and restrictions on maritime trade have raised concerns about the movement of oil and other essential commodities.
A prolonged conflict could further complicate international trade, increase economic uncertainty and place additional pressure on countries already facing energy and inflation challenges.
For Washington and Tehran, the immediate challenge is finding common ground on the conditions for negotiations without allowing the disagreement to trigger another escalation.
A Critical Moment For Diplomacy
Iran’s willingness to reduce its proposed negotiation timeline to two days signals that Tehran is publicly presenting a rapid return to diplomacy as an available option, provided its conditions are addressed.
Washington, however, has yet to accept those conditions, leaving the prospect of an immediate breakthrough uncertain.
Whether the two countries can move beyond their competing demands will depend on their willingness to compromise and the ability of international mediators to bridge the diplomatic divide.
For now, the two-day proposal remains on the table, but the path towards a lasting agreement remains uncertain.
