US President Trump Rejects Iran Peace Proposal, Labels Ceasefire 'Weak'
Speaking from the Oval Office, the US President described the current truce as having only a one per cent chance of survival, while Iran's foreign ministry defends its counter-offer as responsible.
US President Donald Trump has publicly dismissed a peace proposal from Iran, describing the current month-long ceasefire as being on "massive life support" and "unbelievably weak". Addressing reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, the President characterised the fragility of the truce by comparing it to a medical scenario where a patient has only a one per cent chance of living. This assessment comes as the administration continues to reject Tehran's latest diplomatic overtures.
In response to the US stance, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, defended the nation's counter-proposal as "responsible" and "generous". The offer, which was sent to the US on Sunday, seeks an immediate end to hostilities across all fronts, including Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon. It also demands a halt to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and guarantees against any further attacks on Iran, alongside compensation for war damage.
The core of the disagreement centres on the removal of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile. President Trump accused Tehran of going back on a previous agreement to allow the US to remove this material, insisting that Iran would never possess a nuclear weapon. This position aligns with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has stated that enrichment sites must be dismantled before the conflict can be considered over.
The dispute also involves the strategic control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's proposal includes a demand for sovereignty over the strait and the reopening of the waterway, which normally facilitates about 20 per cent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas transit. The US has been enforcing a naval blockade of Iranian ports to exert pressure on Tehran, a move that has contributed to a rise in global oil prices.
Earlier this week, President Trump reiterated on Truth Social that the proposal sent by Iran was "totally unacceptable" and a "piece of garbage", noting that he did not even finish reading it. He expressed frustration with Iranian leadership, describing them as "very dishonourable people" who frequently change their minds. Despite these criticisms, the ceasefire has largely been observed since April, though occasional exchanges of fire have occurred.
Background to the current tensions includes massive air strikes launched by Israeli and US forces on Iran on 28 February. While a ceasefire came into effect last month, the US continues to enforce its blockade to pressure Tehran into accepting terms that include a suspension on nuclear enrichment and the lifting of sanctions. Many of these terms are reportedly contingent on a final agreement being reached, according to reports from Axios.
