Iran: Trump 'cannot dictate' when war ends — will cease 'at own choosing, only if own conditions met'

Iranian officials stated on March 25 that US President Donald Trump 'cannot dictate' when the war will end. Iran affirmed it will end the conflict 'at a time of its own choosing and only if own conditions are met.' This adds a crucial new element to Iran's negotiating posture: prior statements focused on conditions (concrete guarantee, Hormuz sovereignty) and process (no trust, no deal; not now not ever); this statement addresses the fundamental question of war termination sovereignty — who decides when the war ends. Trump has repeatedly implied the war is nearly over and negotiations are producing results ('right now'), framing the ceasefire as achievable on a US timeline. Iran's counter-framing asserts that only Iran decides when fighting stops, and only when Iran's conditions are satisfied. Combined with Iran's Day 26 demand list — non-resumption guarantee, Hormuz sovereignty, nuclear/missile concessions, IAEA terms — Iran is signaling the bar for ending hostilities is high and will not be rushed by US political timelines. The statement is consistent with Iran's dual-track strategy: categorical public rejections while back-channel diplomacy (Pakistan, Turkey venue) continues.