US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s counter-proposal to a US peace plan, calling it “totally unacceptable,” on a day when drone strikes across the Gulf region and fresh warnings from Israel put the month-old ceasefire under serious pressure.
Iran’s Counter-Proposal
Iran’s response was forwarded to Washington through Pakistani mediators. According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, Tehran’s proposed text demanded the lifting of US sanctions, an end to the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz after the signing of an initial agreement, and an immediate end to the war with guarantees against any future attack on Iran.
The US had presented a 14-point peace proposal the previous week, which sought to reopen the Strait while setting a framework for talks on Iran’s nuclear programme. America’s conditions reportedly included a moratorium of up to 20 years on Iranian uranium enrichment, the transfer of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium overseas — possibly to the US — and the dismantling of Iranian nuclear facilities.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Iran’s counter-proposal suggested a shorter moratorium, the export of part of the enriched uranium stockpile and dilution of the rest, and a firm refusal to accept the dismantling of nuclear facilities.
Trump’s Reaction
Trump responded by posting on Truth Social: “I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called representatives. I don’t like it — totally unacceptable.” Earlier in the day he had accused Iran of playing games with the United States and the rest of the world for 47 years.
Trump also warned that US military strikes on Iran could be resumed at any time. He said the US could go back in for two more weeks and hit remaining targets, describing what had already been done as roughly 70 percent of the intended strikes.
Netanyahu: War Is Not Over
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the war would continue as long as Iran held a stockpile of highly enriched uranium. In an interview with CBS, he said enrichment sites must be dismantled and the uranium taken out of Iran — by force if necessary. He added that Trump had told him he wants to go in and secure the fissile material.
Trump, however, appeared more relaxed on this point, saying US Space Force satellites were monitoring the uranium stockpile and that anyone who approached it would be dealt with immediately.
Drones Strain the Ceasefire
The ceasefire, which came into effect on 8 April through Pakistani mediation, showed fresh signs of breaking down on Sunday. The UAE shot down drones it said were Iranian, Kuwait reported drones in its airspace, and a drone attack started a small fire on a ship off the coast of Qatar. Another drone strike was reported near Erbil in northern Iraq targeting an Iranian Kurdish rebel camp.
Qatar’s Prime Minister called Iran’s foreign minister directly, warning that using the Strait as a pressure tool would only deepen the crisis. Qatar’s defence ministry condemned the strike in its waters as a serious escalation.
UK and France Plan Maritime Mission
Britain and France announced they will host a meeting of over 40 defence ministers on Tuesday to plan an international mission to restore safe shipping through the Strait once conditions allow. Iran’s deputy foreign minister warned both countries against sending warships to the region. French President Emmanuel Macron clarified it would not be a military deployment but an international security mission.
Lebanon
Lebanon’s health ministry reported 36 people killed and 74 wounded by Israeli strikes on Saturday, including several paramedics wounded in southern Lebanon. Israel has reduced the intensity of its campaign but continues to carry out strikes, saying it intercepted Hezbollah drones approaching its forces in the area.
