TEHRAN — Iran’s First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, dismisses claims by Donald Trump that Tehran is seeking negotiations, instead asserting that Washington is pressing for talks over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the main conduit for about 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas.

In a post on X on Monday, Aref said Iran’s armed forces had “crushed the aggressors,” adding that “now they are begging us to negotiate about the Strait of Hormuz.” He cautioned, however, that Tehran would first assess whether the other side is prepared to make “necessary concessions.”

Aref also signaled a potential shift in Iran’s strategic posture in the waterway, writing in a separate message that “the Strait of Hormuz regime will no longer be as it was in the past.” He said the government aims to convert battlefield gains into lasting economic and security advantages.

His remarks come amid heightened tensions and competing narratives between Tehran and Washington. Trump has repeatedly claimed that Iran is “begging” for a deal to end hostilities, arguing that U.S. and Israeli actions have severely weakened Iran’s military capabilities.

Iranian officials have rejected that characterization. Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says Tehran has formally responded to a U.S. proposal outlining terms to end the war, reaffirming Iran’s “natural and legal right” over the Strait of Hormuz.

Baghaei added that Iran has received messages through intermediaries indicating Washington’s willingness to negotiate, but described the proposals as “unrealistic, illogical, and excessive.”
“Our position is clear. We are under military aggression,” he stated. “Therefore, all our efforts and strength are focused on defending ourselves.”

Baghaei confirmed that only messages from the United States seeking negotiations have been received so far, and no direct talks have taken place.

The spokesperson also noted that Iran supports regional efforts toward de-escalation, while emphasizing that any diplomatic path forward must be grounded in a “realistic” understanding of the situation on the ground.