President Donald Trump on Sunday sharply criticized Iran’s response to a U.S.-backed peace proposal aimed at ending months of escalating conflict in the Middle East, signaling that negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain far from resolved.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump reacted to reports that Iranian negotiators had formally answered the administration’s proposal.
“I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘Representatives.’ I don’t like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!” Trump wrote.
The response from Tehran was first reported Sunday by Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic News Agency, which said negotiators had submitted their counterproposal to the United States. The White House had not publicly commented as of Sunday afternoon.
The latest developments come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts involving several international players. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed Sunday that his government had also received Iran’s response. Sharif, Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar have reportedly served as intermediaries in discussions between Tehran and Washington.
Reports earlier this week indicated the Trump administration’s proposal called for Iran to agree to a moratorium on uranium enrichment in exchange for the lifting of U.S. sanctions. The proposal also reportedly included provisions to ease tensions in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route.
The waterway has become a flashpoint since fighting intensified following the outbreak of conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran earlier this year. Iran has threatened to restrict access to the strait for non-allied nations and reportedly laid mines in the area, while U.S. naval forces have maintained a blockade of Iranian ports since April.
However, according to reporting from The Wall Street Journal, Iran’s response does not fully comply with the administration’s demands regarding uranium enrichment. Instead, Tehran’s proposal reportedly focuses first on ending hostilities and gradually reopening the Strait of Hormuz before addressing nuclear issues.
The report also said Iran proposed diluting part of its enriched uranium stockpile while transferring the remainder to a third country. Under the proposal, that material would be returned to Iran if negotiations collapse or if the United States later withdraws from the agreement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reinforced Tehran’s hard-line stance Friday, saying the country would “never bow to pressure” while insisting the Iranian military remains “1,000%” ready to “defend our people” during negotiations.
