Iran says any end to US-Israeli war must be definitive

Iran says it has not requested a ceasefire or communicated with the U.S., insisting the Strait of Hormuz remains open except to its adversaries. Tehran calls for an end to the conflict in a way that prevents future aggression.

Reuters

March 16, 2026

Iran says any end to US-Israeli war must be definitive

An image of the national flag of Iran courtesy of Mostafa Merigi/Unsplash via Wix.

Mostafa Merigi/Unsplash via Wix

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Monday (March 16) that Tehran has not asked for a ceasefire or exchanged messages with the U.S., adding that the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran must come to an end in a way that it will not be repeated again.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday (March 15) called for a coalition of nations to help reopen the vital shipping route and warned that the NATO alliance faces a "very bad" future if its members fail to come to Washington's aid.

"They (Americans) are asking other countries to come and help them so that the Strait of Hormuz remains open, which, of course, from our perspective it is open. It is only closed to our enemies, to those who carried out unjust aggression against our country and to their allies.”, Araqchi said in response to Trump's comments.

Production: Melory Ghazi/Reuters