Iran awaits Trump response to ceasefire terms, says top security official

Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei said on Monday that Tehran is awaiting a response from the US president to its conditions for ending the war, stressing that Iran is prepared to continue the confrontation if its demands are not met.

Rezaei told Al Jazeera that Iran is in contact with mediators from Pakistan and Qatar, noting that the latter has conveyed Tehran's conditions to Washington in an effort to halt the conflict. He said, "It is in Washington's interest to accept our terms to exit the war. Trump's threats will achieve nothing, and we are ready for a decisive conflict."

He outlined Iran's conditions as ending the war on all fronts, releasing Iran's frozen funds, and lifting the naval blockade. Rezaei added that Iran has reached the conclusion that it must change its strategy toward Washington following the US withdrawal from the memorandum of understanding. He emphasized that Iran remains committed to the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's fatwa, has not altered its nuclear doctrine, but does not know what the future holds.

Rezaei revealed, "We know the weaknesses of the US military and are more prepared than ever to counter its airstrikes." He stressed that Iran is serious about its defense and will strike US bases and interests in the region with greater force if attacked. He also disclosed that Iran recently tested an anti-ship missile near a US aircraft carrier.