Reuters reported on the 17th that Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, rejected U.S. proposals for de-escalation and a cease-fire conveyed through a third country.
Reuters, citing a senior official who requested anonymity, said Mojtaba Khamenei rejected a cease-fire proposal delivered by two mediating countries.
Reuters said Mojtaba Khamenei was reported to have stated at his first foreign policy meeting after taking office that the willingness to retaliate against the United States and Israel is "very tough and resolute." However, it was not confirmed whether he attended the meeting in person.
The official said, "It is not the right time to talk about peace until the United States and Israel kneel, admit defeat, and pay the resulting compensation," Reuters reported. Iran has repeatedly declared through multiple channels that it will fight to the end and has set conditions for a cease-fire that include an apology from the United States and Israel, which started the war, and the payment of compensation.
U.S. President Donald Trump has pledged that the war will end soon, while saying more time is needed to finish the mission. Reuters reported on the 14th that the Trump administration rejected diplomatic efforts by Middle Eastern allies aimed at ending the war.
Meanwhile, Iran's ambassador to Russia denied recent reports by some Arab media that Mojtaba Khamenei, who was injured in U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, went to Russia for treatment. Mojtaba Khamenei, injured in airstrikes on the 28th of last month, has not appeared in person or issued a message in his own voice since being elected supreme leader on the 8th.