Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared that Tehran "no longer trusts" negotiations with the United States, citing a history of attacks and sanctions following previous rounds of talks. The statement comes as Iran awaits a response from Washington to its latest proposal aimed at ending the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran.

In an interview with Al Jazeera aired on Saturday, Pezeshkian expressed skepticism about the basis for reaching an understanding with the U.S. "We have no trust in the American side and do not know on what basis an understanding can be reached with it," he told the Qatar-based broadcaster.

This sentiment follows an intensive diplomatic effort by Iranian officials, including President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, during their recent visit to the United States for the United Nations gathering. The Iranian delegation proposed a deal intended to cease hostilities and reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz within seven days. Araghchi indicated that initial steps would take four to five days, with the Strait reopening on the sixth day and talks for a final agreement commencing on the seventh.

The proposed deal includes significant concessions from the U.S., such as lifting its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waiving sanctions on Iranian oil sales, releasing approximately $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets, and observing a regional ceasefire. In return, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas transit, which Iran views as its primary leverage.

President Pezeshkian revealed that mediators Qatar and Pakistan are currently relaying Iran's messages to Washington. He emphasized that the current negotiations are predicated on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) previously agreed upon by both sides in June, the status of which the U.S. needs to clarify. The war, which began in late February, saw the U.S. and Israel launch attacks that resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Addressing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Pezeshkian denied Iran's sole responsibility, stating that the U.S. had "closed the routes before us." He characterized the blockade as a "natural response when routes are cut off to Iran." Pezeshkian asserted that the crisis could be resolved through negotiation rather than military action and that the waterway would be reopened to commercial shipping once the war concludes.

He further characterized the U.S. as the aggressor, highlighting that Iran "has not attacked any country in 200 years." Pezeshkian suggested that the U.S. and Israel had underestimated Iran's resilience, initiating the conflict with the expectation that the Iranian system would quickly collapse.

Iran's proposal aims to de-escalate regional tensions, which have been exacerbated by the war. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is a central element, given its strategic importance to global energy markets. The success of this initiative hinges on Washington's response and its willingness to address Iran's grievances regarding past actions and sanctions.