Iranian official: Rejection of proposals for calm with Washington and a firm stance on escalation – Algerian Al-Hiwar newspaper

A senior Iranian official said on Tuesday that the Supreme Leader rejected proposals conveyed by two mediating countries to Tehran, which were aimed at calming tensions or reaching a ceasefire with the United States, during the first meeting devoted to discussing foreign policy.

The official explained that the Supreme Leader’s position regarding what he described as the response to the United States and the occupying entity is characterized by “firmness and seriousness,” indicating his adherence to the option of escalation at this stage.

He added that the Supreme Leader considered that “the time is not appropriate for peace,” until the United States and the entity were forced to retreat and accept what he described as defeat, in addition to paying compensation.

The official did not specify whether the Supreme Leader attended the meeting personally.

In a related context, three sources reported on March 14 that the administration of US President Donald Trump rejected initiatives presented by allies in the Middle East to launch a diplomatic path aimed at ending the war with Iran.