Iran has rejected fresh US proposals relayed through regional intermediaries following high-level diplomatic talks in Islamabad.

According to Tehran, the proposals were conveyed after a meeting on Sunday involving the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, aimed at exploring a path toward de-escalation.

Responding on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei dismissed the US overtures as “unrealistic, illogical and excessive”.

“Our position is clear. We are under military aggression. Therefore, all our efforts and strength are focused on defending ourselves,” he said at a press conference.

Baghaei’s remarks highlight Tehran’s firm stance following the Islamabad diplomatic initiative, which appeared to position regional powers as intermediaries between Iran and Washington.

Shortly after the comments, US President Donald Trump said Washington was in talks with what he described as a “more reasonable regime” to end the war, while simultaneously issuing a stark warning over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

In a social media post, Trump claimed progress in negotiations but warned that failure to reach a deal — or reopen the key shipping route — could trigger a major escalation, including strikes on Iran’s critical infrastructure such as power plants, oil facilities, Kharg Island and desalination sites.