Tehran demands ironclad guarantees against future US strikes as Gulf tensions rise
ISLAMABAD: Iran has rejected two ceasefire proposals delivered by US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, signalling no immediate end to the escalating conflict with the United States and Israel.
The British daily The Guardian reported that Tehran views the overtures as premature because Iranian leaders believe they are not losing the war. This defiance comes amid weeks of direct exchanges that have already seen Iranian missiles target regional US assets and heightened naval threats in the Strait of Hormuz.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the position explicit in recent statements carried by Iranian state media and international outlets. He declared that a simple American announcement ending hostilities would not suffice. Araghchi stressed that any truce requires binding assurances from Washington that no further attacks on Iranian territory would occur.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf reinforced the hard line in a public address covered widely in regional press. Ghalibaf stated Iran is not seeking a ceasefire at this stage. He added that every enemy strike must receive an immediate and proportionate response to deter future aggression.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has meanwhile escalated warnings targeting commercial shipping. IRGC commanders threatened increased pressure on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint carrying roughly 21 million barrels of oil daily, or about one fifth of global seaborne trade according to US Energy Information Administration data.
Analysts note the strategic calculus behind Iran’s stance. Tehran points to successful strikes on US-operated AN/TPY-2 radars in Jordan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia as proof of its missile reach. Satellite imagery released by independent monitoring groups confirms damage to these high-value systems, which form part of the THAAD and Patriot networks.
US Central Command has acknowledged the radar losses but maintains that no American warships, including the USS Abraham Lincoln battle group, sustained damage. Despite these claims, Iranian officials cite the incidents as evidence that their deterrent remains intact and that Washington faces domestic political constraints.
The Guardian article highlights internal Iranian assessments that Trump’s administration is under pressure to de-escalate ahead of midterm considerations. Tehran believes this window allows it to demand stronger guarantees rather than accept a temporary pause.
Historical precedents shape the distrust. Iranian diplomats repeatedly reference the 2018 US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which they view as a broken commitment. Araghchi told interviewers that past negotiations collapsed precisely because of similar unilateral moves by Washington.
Regional energy markets have reacted sharply to the Hormuz threats. Brent crude futures rose more than eight percent in the past week, while shipping insurance premiums for Gulf routes jumped 30 percent according to Lloyd’s List data. Major importers including China, India and Japan, which rely on the strait for 40 percent of their crude imports, are monitoring developments closely.
Pakistan, sharing a border with Iran and hosting millions of Afghan refugees, faces indirect fallout. Officials in Islamabad have quietly urged restraint through diplomatic channels while maintaining neutrality in public statements. Trade volumes through Gwadar port could suffer if Hormuz disruptions intensify.
The IRGC’s naval wing has released footage of fast-attack boats and anti-ship missile drills in recent days. Commanders warned that any vessel linked to US or Israeli interests could be deemed a legitimate target. This rhetoric echoes earlier incidents in 2019 when Iran seized tankers amid heightened tensions.
Trump’s choice of Witkoff, a longtime business associate without prior diplomatic experience, has drawn scrutiny. The envoy’s messages reportedly focused on a short-term halt to allow negotiations on broader issues including Iran’s nuclear programme and regional proxies. Both attempts received swift rejection.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s office has not commented directly but state television has aired programmes framing the rejections as national resolve. Analysts from the International Crisis Group note that internal hardliner factions view any concession now as weakness that could invite further strikes.
Military experts highlight the asymmetry in capabilities. While US carrier groups deploy advanced Aegis systems and SM-6 interceptors, Iran’s Fattah-2 hypersonic glide vehicle claims speeds exceeding Mach 5, complicating interception calculations. No confirmed use of the system against naval targets has occurred, yet its existence adds to Tehran’s confidence.
Global powers have issued measured responses. Russia and China have called for dialogue through the United Nations Security Council. European Union foreign ministers met in Brussels to discuss possible sanctions relief as leverage but stopped short of endorsing the Iranian demand for guarantees.
Oil-producing Gulf states including Saudi Arabia and the UAE have increased production slightly to offset potential shortages. Yet analysts warn that prolonged closure of the strait could push global prices above 120 dollars per barrel, triggering inflation worldwide.
The Guardian report concludes that Iran’s leadership sees the current military balance as favourable enough to hold firm. Whether this calculation withstands further US or Israeli escalation remains uncertain. For now, the rejection of Witkoff’s messages keeps the region on edge.
Diplomatic sources in multiple capitals suggest back-channel contacts continue despite the public posture. However, without concrete security assurances, Tehran appears prepared to sustain its current level of resistance and retaliation.
The situation underscores the fragile nature of deterrence in the Gulf. With commercial shipping already rerouting and energy markets volatile, the coming days could prove decisive for whether the conflict widens or finds a negotiated off-ramp.