President Donald Trump has dismissed Iran’s response to U.S. proposals aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, calling Tehran’s position “totally unacceptable.” His remarks highlight the widening gap between Washington and Tehran as both sides continue to clash over terms for a potential ceasefire and broader settlement.
Iran’s Proposal Through Pakistan
Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran had sent its proposal via Pakistan, which has acted as a mediator. The plan called for an immediate halt to fighting across all fronts, the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade, and guarantees against future attacks on Iran.
While a ceasefire has largely held since the war began in February, occasional exchanges of fire have continued. Trump has repeatedly insisted the war will end “quickly,” but Iran’s conditions appear far from what Washington is willing to accept.
U.S. Memorandum and Terms
According to Axios, the U.S. proposal was outlined in a one-page, 14-point memorandum. It included provisions such as suspending Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, lifting sanctions, and restoring free transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Sources familiar with the document said many of the terms would depend on reaching a final agreement.
Trump, however, made clear his dissatisfaction with Iran’s reply. Posting on Truth Social, he wrote: “I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘Representatives.’ I don’t like it – TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.”
Israeli Concerns Over Nuclear Enrichment
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that Iran’s nuclear program must be dismantled before the war can be considered over. In an interview excerpt released ahead of CBS’s 60 Minutes, Netanyahu said Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile must be “taken out” and enrichment sites dismantled.
His comments reflect Israel’s position that any settlement must address Iran’s nuclear capabilities, a stance that complicates U.S. efforts to negotiate a ceasefire.
Iran’s Defiance
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking on Sunday, did not directly reference the U.S. proposal but emphasized that dialogue does not equal surrender. “We will never bow our heads before the enemy, and if talk of dialogue or negotiation arises, it does not mean surrender or retreat,” he said.
Iran has continued to block the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which about one-fifth of global oil and gas flows. This blockade has driven up world energy prices and remains a central point of contention.
Escalation in the Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. has enforced a blockade of Iranian ports to pressure Tehran into accepting its terms, a move that has angered Iranian officials. Military spokesman Mohammad Akraminia warned that vessels passing through the strait would face “severe consequences” if they did not cooperate with Tehran. He added that U.S. forces could not turn the northern Indian Ocean into a true blockade despite their naval presence.
Iran has attacked or threatened vessels attempting to cross the strait, leveraging its control of the waterway as a strategic tool in the conflict.
International Naval Deployments
The U.S. maintains a significant military presence across the Gulf, with bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. On Saturday, Britain announced it would send a Royal Navy warship to the Middle East, potentially joining an international mission to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, has championed the mission but said it would only proceed once fighting ends. Iran responded with a warning of “decisive and immediate” retaliation against any French or British deployments.
Macron later clarified that France had not planned a naval deployment but envisioned a security mission coordinated with Iran.
Regional Fallout
Iran has also targeted U.S. allies in the Gulf. The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations Centre reported that a bulk carrier was struck by an unknown projectile northeast of Doha, causing a fire but no casualties. Iran’s Fars news agency later claimed the vessel was sailing under a U.S. flag.
Kuwait reported drones entering its airspace on Sunday, which its military intercepted. Hours later, the UAE announced its air defenses had shot down two drones originating from Iran.
These incidents underscore the widening scope of the conflict, with regional states increasingly drawn into the confrontation.
Global Response
Defense ministers from more than 40 nations are set to meet Monday to discuss UK-led plans for safeguarding shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. British Defense Secretary John Healey and French counterpart Catherine Vautrin will co-chair the meeting, where coalition partners are expected to outline strategies for policing maritime traffic once hostilities subside.
Trump’s rejection of Iran’s proposal signals little progress toward ending the war. With Tehran demanding an end to blockades and guarantees against future attacks, and Washington insisting on halting nuclear enrichment, the two sides remain far apart. Israel’s insistence on dismantling enrichment sites adds another layer of complexity.
Meanwhile, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz continue to escalate, drawing in regional and international actors. As global defense leaders prepare to meet, the path to peace remains uncertain, with both sides entrenched in positions that show no sign of compromise.
