Ghalibaf: We Offered a 'Rational' Response, Ball is in Washington's Court

Iranian chief negotiator and Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said today, Tuesday, that the ball is in the United States' court to "avoid war."

Ghalibaf added in a televised speech, "While the Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready for battle with its finger on the trigger, it has also presented a strong and rational response to the American side."

He continued, "The ball is now in America's court to avoid war."

A senior Iranian official had said earlier today, Tuesday, that his country "will not accept exaggerated American demands," considering that the two countries are far from reaching an agreement to end the war.

According to Reuters, which quoted the unnamed senior Iranian official, he confirmed that his country is "ready to respond strongly to American strikes whether in the region or outside it," after the United States launched an attack on Qeshm Island in the south early Tuesday morning.

These statements come at a time when the diplomatic arena is witnessing intensified efforts, with Qatar playing the role of main mediator, aiming to prevent the potential return of renewed conflict after the US midterm elections.

Earlier, a US official confirmed that the United States carried out strikes on the Iranian island of Qeshm in the Strait of Hormuz.

The official, who requested anonymity, stated that the strikes appeared limited and did not constitute a resumption of major combat operations.

The Wall Street Journal noted that the attack is the latest episode in a series of limited strikes carried out by Washington over the past few weeks.