Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Esmaeil Baqaei made it plain on Monday that Iran is open to negotiations to end the dispute, but only if Washington lowers its demands regarding Tehran.
"Ending the war is our top priority right now," he stated in a televised briefing. "The opposing side must give up its irrational demands regarding Iran and commit to a reasonable approach."
Since the ceasefire went into effect on April 8, diplomatic efforts have essentially stopped, with only one round of direct negotiations occurring thus far.
The Strait of Hormuz continues to be one of the primary flashpoints. Following US and Israeli assaults on February 28 that disrupted international shipments of oil, gas, and fertilisers, Iran has kept strict control over the crucial route.Following US President Donald Trump's announcement on Sunday that American Marines will start escorting ships across the strait, tensions increased and Iran's military issued warnings of potential reprisal.
Baqaei stated, "By now, the Americans should have learned that they cannot use the language of threats and force against the Iranian nation."
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has demonstrated that it views itself as the guardian and protector of this crucial waterway and the Strait of Hormuz."
Prior to the start of the conflict, he said, the crossing had been secure for international trade.

Referring to Israel, he stated, "The international community must hold the United States and the Zionist regime accountable for imposing insecurity on this waterway and for creating problems that are being felt across the world."
Baqaei also stated on state television prior to Trump's announcement of the escort proposal that Tehran had presented a 14-point plan "focused on ending the war" and that the US had responded through Pakistani middlemen.