"Will stand until our last breath": Iran vows no retreat after Trump rejects ceasefire
President Pezeshkian and Iranian military leaders vow to stand firm after Donald Trump rejects a seven-day ceasefire and Strait of Hormuz proposal.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that his nation will remain resolute and refuse to back down in the face of pressure from the United States and Israel. This defiant stance comes following the rejection by US President Donald Trump of a strategic seven-day ceasefire proposal put forward by Tehran.
A Promise to the People
Addressing a crowd of supporters at the airport upon his return from the United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Pezeshkian delivered an emotional and firm message. He emphasized his commitment to the Iranian people and the nation's sovereignty.
"We stand firm with strength, we are at the service of our people, we will stand until our last breath, and we promise that as long as we have life in our bodies, we will be honest servants to the people," Pezeshkian stated.
The President also expressed a deep sense of humility before his supporters, describing himself as their servant and acknowledging the gravity of the current political climate.
Military Warnings Over the Strait of Hormuz
The rhetoric of defiance was echoed by the Iranian military. Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, Senior Spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces, issued a stern warning regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz during an interview with state television.
General Shekarchi highlighted Iran's expertise in asymmetric warfare and warned the United States against attempting to interfere in the waterway. He issued a direct warning to maritime traffic, stating:
- Security Risks: Any vessel attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz outside of the routes designated by Iran will not be guaranteed security.
- Direct Warning: The General warned that any American interference in the management of the Strait would be met with a "slap" from the Iranian Armed Forces.
- Regional Advice: He also advised neighboring Muslim nations to remain cautious, suggesting they would not receive support from America.
The Failed Seven-Day Roadmap
The tension follows a failed diplomatic attempt. President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had traveled to the US to propose a comprehensive seven-day roadmap intended to de-escalate regional fighting and reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz.
The proposed deal included several key concessions from Washington:
- Lifting the naval blockade of Iranian ports.
- Waiving sanctions on Iranian oil sales.
- Releasing approximately USD 12 billion in frozen Iranian assets.
- Observing a regional ceasefire that would include Lebanon and Yemen.
In exchange, Iran had agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with formal nuclear program negotiations scheduled to begin on the seventh day of the agreement. However, President Trump has officially rejected the proposal, stating his opposition to the deal.
Broken Trust and Regional Conflict
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Pezeshkian expressed a profound lack of confidence in negotiating with the United States. He noted that previous attempts at dialogue had frequently been followed by increased sanctions and military attacks, leaving Iran with little reason to trust American intentions.
Pezeshkian defended Iran's actions regarding the maritime routes, claiming that the US had effectively closed routes to Iran first, making the current situation a "natural response." He accused the US and Israel of attempting to drag the region into a conflict under the assumption that the Iranian political system would collapse quickly.