'Far from reaching a deal': Iran says it wouldn't tolerate 'excessive demands' of US

Iran and the United States remain far from reaching a deal to end their war, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday, warning that Tehran would not accept Washington's "excessive demands" and that its conditions must be met for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen.According to the Reuters report, the remarks came amid intensified diplomatic efforts to prevent a fresh escalation of the conflict, with Qatari mediators travelling to Tehran on Monday night to discuss a draft US-Iran agreement that has been under negotiation for the past eight days.The Iranian official said mediators were working to bridge differences between Washington and Tehran, but warned that nuclear negotiations could begin only after Iran's conditions were fulfilled."Mediators are working hard to narrow gaps between Tehran and Washington," the senior Iranian official said, adding, "Tehran's conditions must be met if the US wants Hormuz reopened."The official also said Tehran would not accept Washington's "excessive demands" and warned that Iran would respond forcefully, within the region and beyond, to any fresh US strikes.Meanwhile, the United States carried out what it described as "defensive" strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island overnight, targeting surface-to-air missile systems allegedly used against American assets, according to a US official. Another US official said the strikes appeared limited and did not signal a resumption of major combat operations.In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that it had shot down a US MQ-9 drone and two Lucas drones near the Strait of Hormuz.Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said the responsibility for preventing further escalation now rested with Washington, following what he described as Tehran's "strong and rational response".Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said on Tuesday that both the United States and Iran remained committed to mediation and were reviewing proposals put forward by intermediaries. He said the Qatari delegation that travelled to Tehran had returned to Doha, but discussions between the two sides were continuing.