Thekabarnews.com—The US’s attempts to halt the ongoing war with Iran have encountered a diplomatic obstacle. The incident happened after Tehran rejected two ceasefire offers sent through Washington’s Middle East envoy.

The Guardian reported on March 11, 2026, that US envoy Steve Witkoff tried to use several diplomatic channels to get a temporary end to hostilities.

However, Iranian leaders reportedly rejected the offers. They say that Washington wanted to use the pause to regroup its troops and get ready for more attacks.

Iranian leaders think that keeping the war going is beneficial for Tehran’s strategy. It allows them to strengthen their position in the region. Additionally, it potentially gives them leverage in future negotiations.

Meanwhile, the US is under more and more pressure because of its long-term military involvement. This situation has raised concerns about the sustainability of its military commitments and the effectiveness of its current strategy in the region.

As a result, the situation has led to increasing public scrutiny and calls for a reassessment of its foreign policy in the region. Iranian officials insist that any ceasefire must include legally binding promises to prevent future attacks on the country.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Legal and International Affairs of Iran, Kazem Gharibabadi, said that a temporary ceasefire without clear legal commitments would not be very useful.

“If the war is to end or a ceasefire is to occur, Iran must be guaranteed safety.” If not, a ceasefire would be useless if another attack happened months later,” Gharibabadi said.

Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated that Donald Trump’s declaration of victory alone would not end the conflict.

Araghchi says that even if Washington stops attacking, Iran may still respond in different ways that are strategic. For example, these responses could be through cyber operations. They could also support proxy groups in the region or leverage their influence in international negotiations.

Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route, is vital to its role in the conflict.

Every day, almost 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments go through this narrow waterway.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that ships from countries that are taking part in military actions against Iran might not be able to pass through the strait.

Iranian officials have also said that ships from some countries might still be able to pass through safely. Such an outcome is possible if their governments cut off diplomatic ties with Washington and Israel.

Iran’s tone has changed a lot since the beginning of the conflict. Initially, officials primarily concentrated on repelling assaults.

Iranian leaders seem to be getting more and more sure of their strategic position these days.

In a recent public statement, Masoud Pezeshkian talked about how strong Iran is and how it would survive even if it were under military pressure.

Military activity in the region continues to escalate. Meanwhile, diplomatic talks remain stalled, leading to increased tensions and fears of a potential military confrontation. Pete Hegseth recently said that the current stage of the conflict could see the most violent attacks yet.

There is still no clear path to a peace deal in the Middle East. Iran has rejected the ceasefire proposals, and the fighting has intensified. The situation has led to increased casualties and further entrenchment of both sides in their positions.

People who are watching say that this situation shows how challenging it is to make diplomatic progress when there is active military conflict. This observation is especially true when both sides think they still have an advantage on the battlefield.