Iran accuses U.S. of making 'unreasonable' demands in talks to end war

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, on May 11 criticized the United States for making 'unreasonable' and 'one-sided' demands in negotiations to end the war, as both sides maintain a fragile ceasefire.

According to Iranian state media, Tehran sent its response to the U.S. proposal to end the two-month-long war via Pakistan on May 11. U.S. President Donald Trump called Iran's terms 'completely unacceptable'.

At a press conference on May 12, Baghaei said Iran's proposal to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz was legal and generous. He called for an end to the war across the region and the release of frozen overseas assets in response to the latest U.S. offer.

'We are not asking for any concessions. Our demands are legitimate: an end to the war, lifting the U.S. blockade and piracy, and releasing Iran's assets that have been unjustly frozen in banks under U.S. pressure,' Baghaei said.

'Safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and establishing security in the region and Lebanon are other demands of Iran, considered a generous and responsible offer for regional security,' the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman added.

Earlier on May 11, President Trump dismissed Tehran's counter-proposal on his Truth Social platform without providing details. 'I just read the response from Iran’s so-called “Representatives.” I didn’t like it — COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE!' Trump wrote.

Andrea Dessi of the American University in Rome said both sides appear to be digging into maximum positions. 'The news on May 12 is negative… because we are seeing both sides continually sticking to rather maximalist positions. In this deadlock, the real victims remain the international economy and the people of the Gulf and broader Middle East,' the analyst said.

Oil prices rise

Trump's social media post rattled global energy markets, with benchmark Brent crude rising 4.65 percent to $99.95 per barrel during Asian trading on May 12. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures also rose more than 4 percent to $105.5 per barrel as investors braced for further disruption to supplies through the strait, where Tehran has imposed a partial blockade.

Baghaei also addressed plans by European nations to deploy warships to the region to ensure safe maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blocked since March. French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer are leading a coalition of more than 50 nations to help restore maritime traffic in the region after the war.

Baghaei said Iran has made clear to Europeans they should not yield to 'the arrogant behavior of the U.S. and Israel.' 'They should avoid taking any action that harms their interests. As I said, this war is not only unethical but illegal,' the spokesman said.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed: 'The U.S. and Israel started the invasion against Iran. These European countries should not be tricked into getting involved in this matter.'

According to the British government, the UK and France will host a multinational meeting of defense ministers on May 13 to discuss plans to restore commercial flow through the Strait of Hormuz. The virtual meeting follows a two-day gathering of military planners in London in April.

'Any intervention in the Strait of Hormuz or the Persian Gulf will cause further complications,' Baghaei said. 'It will drive prices even higher. We expect the countries of the world to act responsibly.'