AGENCIES

Iran said yesterday that it was up to the United States whether to pursue a negotiated settlement or to return to open war, but that Tehran was ready for either outcome.

“Now the ball is in the United States’ court to choose the path of diplomacy or the continuation of a confrontational approach,” deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi told diplomats in Tehran, according to state broadcaster IRIB.

“Iran, with the aim of securing its national interests and security, is prepared for both paths,” he said.

His comment came after a senior Iranian military officer said renewed fighting with the US was “likely”, hours after President Donald Trump said he was not satisfied with an Iranian negotiating proposal.

Iran delivered the new draft to mediator Pakistan on Thursday evening, state media reported. An Iranian official confirmed that it proposed reopening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and ending the US blockade, while leaving talks on its nuclear programme for later.

The war, launched by the United States and Israel in late February, has been on hold since April 8, after one failed round of peace talks in Pakistan.

“They want to make a deal, but ... I’m not satisfied with it,” Trump told reporters at the White House, adding that Iran’s leadership was “very disjointed” and split into “two or three groups”.

“They’re asking for things that I can’t agree to,” he said, noting that negotiations by phone were continuing.

Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said Tehran was ready to pursue diplomacy if the US changed its “excessive approach, threatening rhetoric and provocative actions.”

Iran has activated air defences and is planning a wide response if attacked, having assessed a short, intensive US In a

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