Donald Trump has rejected Iran's response to his proposals to end the war as 'totally unacceptable.' Over the weekend, it emerged that Tehran had responded via Pakistan, which has acted as mediator in the conflict, to the administration's latest plan to end the fighting. But on Sunday night, the U.S. president wrote on his Truth Social platform: 'I have just read the response from Iran's so-called Representatives. I don't like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.'
Iran's Demands and Threats
Iranian state media said the country's response had focused on ending the war on all fronts, especially in Lebanon, and on the safety of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, where the U.S. and Iran have enacted dueling blockades. It followed the U.S. proposal to end fighting before starting talks on more contentious issues, including Iran's nuclear program. Iran also issued a threat to the UK and France, warning that any warships in the Strait of Hormuz 'will be met with decisive response.'
Netanyahu's Remarks
On Sunday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CBS News that there is still 'work to be done' in Iran, though he refrained from offering a timetable for the war's end. He further said that Israel should wean itself off of American military aid in the future. 'It's time we weaned ourselves from the remaining military support,' Netanyahu stated.
Iran's Proposal Details
An Iranian proposal sent to the United States through mediator Pakistan stressed the need for an end to the war on all fronts and the lifting of sanctions on Tehran, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said on Sunday. The proposal emphasized the necessity of lifting sanctions by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control on Iranian oil sales during a 30-day period and ending the naval blockade on Iran, Tasnim added. Tasnim also quoted the source as saying that Iran's demands include 'Iranian management of the Strait of Hormuz if certain commitments are undertaken by the US.' The agency did not specify what those commitments would be.
Oil Prices and Current Status
Oil prices jumped $3 a barrel on Monday following news of the continued stalemate that leaves the narrow Strait of Hormuz largely closed. On the 73rd day of the US-Israel war on Iran, Tehran released a counter-proposal to a US plan aimed at ending the conflict, reportedly including demands for compensation and formal recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. Within hours, Trump rejected the response, accusing Tehran of 'playing games.'
