Iran Says US Must Recognize Iranian Rights and Distance Itself From Israel to End Conflict

Iran’s Ministry of Defense has called on the United States and Israel to recognize the rights of the Iranian nation as a key step toward ending the ongoing conflict with the Islamic Republic.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik stated, “The American-Zionist enemy must accept the rights of the Iranian nation, and especially the US enemy must distance itself from the evil Zionist regime (Israel), and this will pave the way for the end of the war.”

The defense spokesperson warned that Washington would remain trapped in the “quagmire it is stuck in” if it failed to acknowledge Iran’s national rights and continued supporting what he described as the “evil and criminal” Israeli regime. He also said the United States should recognize the realities on the battlefield.

Talaei-Nik emphasized that the Iranian people represent the “strategic depth of Iran’s defense power,” highlighting national unity as a major factor in the country’s military strength.

According to Iranian officials, the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28, targeting nuclear facilities, hospitals, schools, and civilian infrastructure. Tehran also accused the two allies of assassinating Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

In response, Iran’s Armed Forces reportedly carried out 100 waves of retaliatory operations under Operation True Promise 4. The attacks included ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, and drones aimed at American military bases in West Asia and Israeli targets across the occupied territories.

Iran also introduced tighter control measures in the Strait of Hormuz following what Tehran described as an illegal naval blockade imposed by Washington. The move raised concerns across global energy markets due to the strategic importance of the waterway.

Tehran later announced it would not return to negotiations unless the blockade was lifted.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that Tehran is still reviewing Washington’s latest proposal aimed at ending the conflict. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stressed that “genuine negotiation requires good faith, not dictation or extortion,” while adding that no official response has yet been delivered.