Former U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected Washington’s ceasefire proposal as “totally unacceptable,” while Iran is using the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic pressure tool to issue stern warnings to the United States and its allies. At the same time, growing tensions in the Middle East are escalating further as Israel and the United States remain firm on halting Iran’s nuclear activities.
Trump stated that Iran’s response to Washington’s proposal to end the war was “completely unacceptable.” According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, Tehran’s proposal, reportedly delivered through Pakistani mediation, called for an immediate ceasefire on all fronts, the withdrawal of the U.S. naval blockade, and guarantees against future attacks.
A ceasefire is currently in place to create room for negotiations aimed at ending the conflict that began in February with Israeli and U.S. military operations. Although sporadic clashes continue, the truce has largely held.
Earlier this week, Trump claimed that the conflict with Iran would end “very quickly.” However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that the war cannot be considered over until Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium is completely removed. Speaking to the American television program “60 Minutes,” Netanyahu said, “There are still enrichment facilities that must be dismantled.”
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian did not directly comment on Tehran’s proposal but declared, “We will never bow before the enemy. Dialogue and negotiations do not mean surrender.”
Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, “I read the response from Iran’s so-called representatives. I did not like it — totally unacceptable.”
According to U.S. media outlet Axios, Washington’s 14-point proposal includes suspending Iran’s uranium enrichment activities, easing sanctions, and restoring free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the report noted that these measures depend on reaching a final agreement.
Iran continues to maintain tight control over the Strait of Hormuz, contributing to rising global oil prices. At the same time, the United States has imposed blockades on Iranian ports in an effort to pressure Tehran, further intensifying the crisis.
The conflict escalated on February 28 when Israel and the United States launched large-scale airstrikes on Iran. A ceasefire later came into effect last month. In an interview with CBS, Netanyahu also said he wants to gradually reduce Israel’s dependence on U.S. military aid, which currently stands at $3.8 billion annually.
“We should begin now, and within the next decade we will free ourselves from this assistance,” Netanyahu stated.
Iran has also warned neighboring countries against complying with U.S. sanctions. Iranian military spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia said vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz without coordination with Tehran would face “serious consequences,” according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.
“We will not allow the Americans to turn this vast region of the northern Indian Ocean into a real blockade through their naval forces,” Akraminia said.
Iran is strategically using its effective control over the Strait of Hormuz in the ongoing conflict. Nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas passes through this crucial waterway. Since the February 28 attacks, Tehran has increasingly used the strait as a major pressure point.
Iran has already issued warnings to vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz, and reports of attacks on some ships have emerged. Meanwhile, the United States continues to maintain a significant military presence in the Gulf region, with bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.
On Saturday, the U.S. Navy announced the deployment of a warship to the Middle East. The vessel is expected to participate in securing international shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have expressed support for a maritime security initiative in the region. Starmer said the mission would only be implemented after hostilities cease.
In response, Iran warned on Sunday that any deployment of French or British forces to the Strait of Hormuz would be met with an “immediate and strong response.” However, Macron later clarified that France had not considered direct naval deployment and was instead discussing a coordinated security mission with Iran.
Iran has also taken retaliatory measures against U.S.-allied Arab states in the Gulf. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that a cargo ship approximately 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha, Qatar, was damaged by an unidentified missile strike. A small fire broke out, but no casualties were reported.
Iran’s Fars News Agency later claimed, citing an unnamed source, that the vessel was U.S.-flagged and American-owned.
On Sunday, Kuwait announced that its military had intercepted a drone entering its airspace. Hours later, the United Arab Emirates stated that its air defense systems had shot down two drones launched from Iran.
Defense ministers from more than 40 countries are set to meet on Monday to discuss a British-led plan aimed at securing maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. British Defense Secretary John Healey and French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin are expected to jointly chair the meeting, where allied nations will present proposals on ensuring maritime security after the conflict ends.
Earlier, on May 6, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, “If Iran does not agree to a deal, bombing will begin, and it will be bigger and more devastating than ever before.”
Source: BBC
Iran’s response to US proposal ‘totally unacceptable’: Trump
