Iran's Supreme Leader Rejects US Proposals: Reuters

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has rejected proposals from the United States aimed at reducing tensions or establishing a ceasefire, which had been conveyed to Tehran through two intermediary countries. This was reported by a senior Iranian official.

According to the source, Khamenei's stance towards the US and Israel is described as "very tough and serious." This was his first session on foreign policy; however, it is unclear whether he personally attended the meeting.

The official noted that Iran's leader believes that "the time for peace has not yet come," until the US and Israel "kneel down, accept their defeat, and pay reparations." Meanwhile, military operations by the US and Israel against Iran have been ongoing for over three weeks, with the death toll surpassing 2,000, yet the end of the conflict remains elusive.

Additionally, the ongoing tension in the region is exacerbated by the closed status of the Strait of Hormuz. This critical oil route is largely nonfunctional, and US allies have rejected former President Donald Trump's call to support its reopening.

According to Reuters sources, several countries in the Middle East have attempted to initiate diplomatic negotiations aimed at halting the war, but the Trump administration has dismissed those proposals.