Trump Rejects Iran's Response, Calls It 'Unacceptable'

US President Donald Trump announced Sunday evening that he had reviewed the reply submitted by Iran through its representatives, declaring his categorical rejection of it. "I have just read the response from Iran from its so-called representatives. Thank you for your attention to this matter," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Iran delivered its response to the American proposal for ending the Middle East war on Sunday via a Pakistani intermediary, while also warning against the deployment of any French or British warships in the Strait of Hormuz. The official Iranian news agency IRNA confirmed the response was sent Sunday, and ISNA reported it centered on "ending the war and maritime security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz." Neither agency provided further details on the content.

Iran's Counterproposal and Nuclear Stance

Sources described as "informed" by the Wall Street Journal indicated that Iran expressed willingness to suspend uranium enrichment operations, but proposed a suspension period shorter than the 20-year timeframe the US had offered in its latest proposal. The sources said Iran sent a formal, multi-page response to the most recent US proposal to end the war, containing detailed demands from the Iranian side but leaving several gaps unresolved between the two parties.

According to the American newspaper, Tehran flatly rejected the demand to dismantle its nuclear facilities, deeming that condition non-negotiable within any potential settlement. The sources added that the Iranian response does not directly address the US demand for prior commitments regarding the fate of Iran's nuclear program and its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, a key point of contention in the negotiations.

Ceasefire and Maritime Access Conditions

Instead, Tehran proposes reaching a ceasefire with a gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to maritime trade, in exchange for the US lifting what Iran describes as a "blockade" on Iranian ships and ports. The sources stated that the nuclear file would be negotiated over a period of up to 30 days after an initial understanding on a cessation of hostilities is reached. Within this framework, Iran proposes reducing part of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and transferring the remaining portion to a third country.

The Iranian response, delivered to the Pakistani intermediary before being forwarded to Washington, also stipulates guarantees for the return of the transferred uranium should negotiations fail or should the US withdraw from any subsequent agreement.