IRAN has formally received the response of the United States to its latest Gulf ceasefire proposal, even as Washington completes the full withdrawal of American troops from neighbouring Iraq following a 23-year military footprint.
An official briefed on the proximity talks held in New York confirmed that Qatari mediators briefed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi (pic) on the American response in Doha. While both nations reportedly agree on the foundational steps required to restore the collapsed June peace accord, significant disagreements persist regarding the sequencing of concessions.
Reuters reported on Thursday that under the Iranian proposal, Washington would lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports in exchange for Tehran reopening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days.
Although US President Donald Trump publicly stated that he had rejected the offer, Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed that Araqchi had formally presented the US response to the Iranian administration.
"Remove from power the evil, deceitful, and violent politicians who are responsible for America’s current state," Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps declared in an open 26-page letter addressed to American voters. "Make sure your politicians understand that the world has changed."
The diplomatic exchanges coincide with the departure of the final American military units from Iraqi bases, fulfilling a long-standing withdrawal timetable. The departure was hailed by Iranian-aligned factions in Baghdad as a historic milestone in their effort to expel Western forces from the region.
Abu Mojtaba al-Yasiri, a commander in the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, described the pullout as an "historic victory for the Iraqi Islamic resistance groups and honorable Iraqis, and a crushing defeat for the American project."
The military departure comes amidst elevated regional tensions, following the loss of seven American service members in Iraq since the onset of Operation Epic Fury in February, as well as recent proxy strikes against Saudi energy infrastructure. Local analysts warn that the absence of Western troops could further embolden Iranian-backed groups within Iraqi state institutions.
Despite ongoing strikes disrupting Gulf shipping lanes, Trump maintained a confident stance regarding the conflict’s ultimate trajectory during remarks to reporters.
"I don't know if they are going to give up yet but they'll give up," Trump said, adding: "They are doing very poorly." - October 1, 2026
