Iran says U.S. has answered its new peace offer — but Trump calls it ‘not enough’
A message has been sent. And a reply, apparently, received.
Iran says the United States has responded to its latest peace proposal — a 14‑point plan Tehran pushed forward as fighting simmers and a fragile ceasefire hangs in the air. The response, Iranian officials say, was delivered quietly through Pakistan. It is now “under review.”
Washington hasn’t formally confirmed any reply. Not officially.
But President Donald Trump, speaking over the weekend, didn’t sound impressed.
“It’s unacceptable,” he reportedly told Israel’s Kan News, before later writing on Truth Social that Iran “has not yet paid a big enough price” for what it has done “to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years.” Strong words. Familiar tone.
Iran’s proposal, according to state-linked media, demands a lot. U.S. forces pulling back from near its borders. A naval blockade lifted. An end to hostilities across the board — including Israel’s offensive in Lebanon. And a full agreement within 30 days. Quick. Clean. Final.
Tehran also wants the focus shifted from simply extending the current ceasefire to ending the war entirely. Big difference.
Trump, for his part, told reporters in Florida that he hasn’t reviewed the exact wording yet. “They told me the concept,” he said. “They’re going to give me the exact wording now.” Details matter. Sometimes.
Asked whether new U.S. strikes on Iran are still on the table, he didn’t rule it out. “It’s a possibility,” he said. “If they misbehave.” Then added, almost casually, “Right now we’ll see.”
He also made clear the U.S. isn’t walking away. “We’re not leaving,” Trump said, suggesting the goal is to prevent the conflict from flaring up again in a few years. Finish it properly, in his view.
This latest exchange follows what Iranian media describe as a nine‑point U.S. proposal that envisioned a two‑month ceasefire. Meanwhile, Trump told Congress on Friday that the conflict had effectively been “terminated” since the truce began on April 8 — even though Iran still poses what he called a “significant” threat.
The naval blockade? Trump described it as “very friendly.” No one challenging it, he claimed.
There’s also a ticking clock in Washington. By law, a president must secure congressional approval within 60 days of notifying lawmakers about military action — or halt hostilities. Friday marked that 60‑day deadline since Trump formally informed Congress of strikes launched in early March.
Some Republicans are uneasy.
Senator Josh Hawley wants forces redeployed. “I want to wind it down,” he said bluntly. Lisa Murkowski warned against both reckless withdrawal and open-ended war. Not a blank check. Not an endless fight either.
And hovering over all of this is the nuclear question. Trump repeats it often: Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. Tehran insists its program is peaceful, though it remains the only non-nuclear state enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels. That fact lingers.
So now, a proposal. A response. And a lot of mistrust in between.
Diplomacy is moving. Slowly. Carefully. Or maybe not carefully enough.
