Iran rejects ceasefire without security guarantees as Gulf tensions mount

Diplomatic efforts have intensified amid escalating hostilities in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, as concerns grow over the risk of further destabilisation and potential attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure.

Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar reported that Russia has offered to mediate between Iran and the United States. Several countries have also urged Tehran to halt attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor for global oil shipments. According to diplomatic sources cited by the paper, Iranian officials responded bluntly, warning that “security will either be shared by all or no one will have it.”

Over the past two days, Moscow has stepped up its diplomatic engagement. Russian President Vladimir Putin held separate phone calls with US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The Kremlin said it is prepared to help de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and has circulated a number of proposals, though details have not been made public.

Russia also submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council. Ahead of the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, reaffirming Moscow’s readiness to use diplomatic channels to bolster regional security.

According to diplomatic sources, officials from Türkiye, Egypt, India and Pakistan have also been in contact with Iranian authorities in recent days. They reportedly urged Tehran to cease attacks on regional targets and to avoid targeting commercial vessels and oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran, however, has signaled it will not accept a ceasefire without concrete security guarantees. Officials insist that any truce must include binding commitments preventing renewed strikes against Iranian territory, arguing that a pause in hostilities should not be used to prepare further attacks.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has stated that operations will continue until threats to the country are fully neutralised. Analysts say Tehran appears intent on reshaping the regional balance of deterrence, despite mounting economic and military costs.

Tensions in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz remain high, with near-daily reports of attacks on shipping. The instability is already affecting global energy markets, given the strategic importance of the waterway for international oil supplies.

Iranian officials maintain that their actions are in response to US and Israeli strikes on Iranian territory. In a conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, President Pezeshkian said Iran does not seek confrontation with regional states and that its strikes are directed solely at bases allegedly used to launch attacks against Iran.

Fears of a broader escalation have also grown following threats of potential strikes on critical infrastructure. Trump has warned of possible attacks on Iranian power facilities, while Tehran has cautioned that it would respond in kind if such measures are carried out, raising the prospect of a further widening of the conflict.

By Sabina Mammadli