US President Donald Trump has expressed scepticism over a new peace proposal from Iran, signalling that Washington may not accept the deal while leaving the door open for possible renewed military action.
Trump, who spoke on Saturday, said he would review the proposal reportedly submitted by Tehran but questioned its viability, insisting Iran had yet to face sufficient consequences for its actions over the years.
“I will soon be reviewing the plan… but I can’t imagine that it would be acceptable,” he said, according to a post on his Truth Social platform.
Negotiations between both countries have remained stalled since a ceasefire took effect on April 8, following failed talks held in Pakistan aimed at ending the over two-month conflict.
Iranian state-linked news agencies, Tasnim News Agency and Fars News Agency, reported that Tehran submitted a 14-point proposal through mediator Islamabad. The plan reportedly includes measures to end hostilities across all fronts and introduce a new framework for managing the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Despite this, Trump declined to rule out further military strikes, stating that such action would depend on Iran’s conduct going forward.
“If they misbehave… it’s certainly a possibility,” he told reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Tensions were further heightened as senior Iranian military official Mohammad Jafar Asadi warned that renewed conflict between both nations remains likely, accusing the United States of failing to honour past commitments.
Similarly, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, said Washington must decide between diplomacy and continued confrontation, noting that Tehran is prepared for either path.
Earlier in the week, US envoy Steve Witkoff reportedly urged Iran to return its nuclear programme to the negotiation table, according to Axios.
Iran’s mission to the United Nations also criticised Washington, describing its stance as “hypocritical” while defending its uranium enrichment activities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The ongoing conflict has significantly disrupted global energy markets, with Iran tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz a vital route for oil and gas shipments while the US imposed countermeasures on Iranian ports. As a result, global oil prices have surged by about 50 per cent compared to pre-war levels.
Meanwhile, hostilities extended to Lebanon, where Israel Defense Forces carried out multiple strikes targeting positions of the Iran-backed group Hezbollah, despite an existing truce. Casualties were reported, with local sources confirming deaths in the attacks.
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Back in Washington, lawmakers are divided over whether Trump complied with legal requirements to seek congressional approval for the war, with opposition Democrats disputing the administration’s interpretation of the timeline.
Within Iran, the economic impact of the conflict has intensified, with inflation exceeding 50 per cent and oil exports declining sharply, further straining the country’s economy.
Analysts warn that unless diplomatic efforts gain traction, the fragile ceasefire could collapse, potentially triggering another round of hostilities with far-reaching global consequences.
