Iran’s defense ministry said Tuesday that the United States was no longer able to “dictate” policy to other nations, as Washington considered a new Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik made the remarks ahead of a Shanghai Cooperation Organization defense ministers’ meeting. A ceasefire has halted active fighting between Iran, the US and Israel, but talks on a permanent settlement remain unresolved.

Is Iran trying to make a deal with the United States?

Iran has put forward a proposal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital conduit for global oil and gas shipments, as broader negotiations on ending the war continue. Washington is weighing the offer, though no agreement has been reached.

Tehran’s public messaging has been defiant: Talaei-Nik said the US must “accept that it must abandon its illegal and irrational demands.”

What did Iran’s defense ministry say about US demands?

Talaei-Nik said the United States was “no longer in a position to dictate its policy to independent nations.” He made the remarks according to state TV, framing Iran’s stance as one of resistance to American pressure.

The comments came as talks on unblocking the Strait of Hormuz remained at a sensitive stage, with the waterway’s near-closure continuing to send shockwaves through global energy markets.

Iran has effectively sealed off the strait since early in the war with the US and Israel, making it the central point of contention in ceasefire negotiations.

The proposal under consideration in Washington would reportedly reopen the passage as wider talks proceed. A permanent end to the conflict, however, remains out of reach, with previous rounds of negotiations producing no conclusive outcome.

What did Iran say about military cooperation at the SCO?

Speaking ahead of the SCO defense ministers’ meeting, Talaei-Nik said Iran was “ready to share its defensive military capabilities with independent countries, especially the member states” of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The remarks signal Tehran’s intent to deepen defense ties with SCO partners as it navigates the ongoing conflict and diplomatic pressure from the US. Iran’s main regional and global allies, including Russia and China, are both SCO members.