Iran said on Tuesday that the United States is no longer in a position to dictate the policies of independent nations, as Washington considers a new proposal from Tehran concerning the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has effectively blocked the strategic waterway since the early stage of its conflict with the United States and Israel, causing concerns in global energy markets and placing the strait at the centre of ongoing peace negotiations.

Speaking through state television, Iranian Defence Ministry spokesman Reza Talaei-Nik said the United States must accept that it can no longer impose its demands on other countries.

“The United States is no longer in a position to dictate its policy to independent nations,” he said.

He added that Washington would have to “accept that it must abandon its illegal and irrational demands.”

Although a ceasefire has paused hostilities involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, discussions aimed at reaching a permanent resolution to the conflict have yet to produce a breakthrough.

The proposal currently being considered in Washington would reportedly reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments, while wider negotiations continue.

Talaei-Nik, speaking ahead of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation defence ministers’ meeting, also said Iran was prepared to share its defensive military capabilities with independent countries, especially member states of the SCO.