Formal response delivered in Tehran

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented a formal United States response regarding terms to end regional hostilities to President Masoud Pezeshkian during a cabinet meeting on 30 September 2026. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed the delivery to state news agency IRNA, though officials did not disclose specific contents. The exchange followed indirect talks mediated by Qatar that resumed on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly after more than seven months of conflict. Donald Trump previously dismissed Iranian proposals to reporters on 26 September 2026, but Iranian officials waited for the official document through Qatari envoys.

“On Wednesday, in the Council of Ministers, the proposal from the American side was presented to President Masoud Pezeshkian by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.”

Ceasefire conditions and economic measures

Tehran outlined seven conditions to end hostilities and reopen maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iranian forces restricted following joint US and Israeli strikes launched on 28 February 2026. The known terms demand a cessation of hostilities across all Middle Eastern fronts including Lebanon, the unfreezing of Iranian foreign assets, the removal of oil sector sanctions, and the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports. While US direct attacks on Iranian territory ceased after 1 September 2026, Washington increased economic measures by imposing sanctions on every Iranian airline and warning foreign companies against assisting them.

Strait of Hormuz transit and maritime attacks

Hostilities remain active along maritime corridors where approximately one-fifth of global hydrocarbons passed prior to the conflict. UK Maritime Trade Operations reported projectile strikes on three commercial ships in the strait on 29 September 2026, following the death of an Indian sailor aboard an Antigua and Barbuda-flagged merchant vessel the previous week. IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi told state television that Iranian forces continue targeting small vessels attempting transit without authorization while US forces have ceased direct armed responses in the waterway. According to maritime consultancy Kpler, oil shipments through the strait averaged 13.2 million barrels per day in the last week of September 2026, representing approximately 77% of pre-war volume.

“For a long time we have been attacking small vessels that want to cross and preventing them from passing, but the United States has not been responding for some time.”

IRGC appeal to US voters

On 29 September 2026, the IRGC published a 26-page open letter distributed by the Mehr news agency appealing directly to American voters, students, academics, and journalists ahead of the 3 November 2026 midterm elections. The text urged citizens to vote against Republican incumbents who currently control both the House of Representatives and the Senate, arguing that Washington should adopt a policy of peaceful coexistence while defending Iran's nuclear program as peaceful. Mohebbi stated he did not expect the appeal to alter administrative policy.

“Remove from power the evil, deceitful, and violent politicians who are responsible for the current state of the United States.”

The release of the letter coincided with the complete departure of US troops from their remaining bases in Iraq, concluding a military presence dating back to 2003 under a withdrawal agreement established in 2024. A Reuters/Ipsos survey conducted on 21 September 2026 showed that 34% of respondents approved of US military strikes against Iran, while overall public approval for Trump fell to 32%.

Approval of US strikes34%

Overall Trump approval32%

Approval of US strikes

34 %

Overall Trump approval

32 %

Data from the article text