Iran offers to resume June ceasefire if US reciprocates, says president

Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi (commonly referred to as Pezeshkian in media reports) presented a diplomatic overture at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, just hours after the United States and Iran exchanged hostile fire over the weekend. The offer, announced in a brief statement, seeks to de‑escalate tensions that have flared amid U.S. sanctions and Iranian military activity in the Persian Gulf.

The proposal comes amid the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) insistence on retaining control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz and demanding compensation for alleged wartime losses. Washington has signaled that it is unlikely to accept these conditions, citing national security concerns and the need to uphold international maritime navigation rights. The IRGC’s demands, therefore, remain a sticking point in any potential negotiations.

As the SCO summit continues, observers note that the timing of the offer underscores the urgency felt by Tehran to address the escalating conflict. However, without a willingness from the United States to meet the IRGC’s core demands, the prospects for a swift resolution appear limited. The international community will be watching closely as the summit progresses and as both sides weigh the implications of their respective positions.