Amid the Middle East conundrum, US President Donald Trump has poured cold water on Iran’s latest peace proposal, dismissing it as “not acceptable”. He turned down Tehran’s 14-point framework, which aims to shift the current ceasefire into a more durable settlement.
Speaking to Israeli outlet Kan News, the US President made clear that the proposal, even after detailed review, fails to meet his expectations. “It’s not acceptable to me. I’ve studied it, I’ve studied everything — it’s not acceptable,” Trump told Nathan Guttman in a phone conversation.
In further comments reported by The Times of Israel, citing Kan in Hebrew, he said: “The Iranians want to make a deal, but I’m not satisfied with what they’ve offered,” adding that “there are things I can’t agree to.”
NOT A BIG ENOUGH PRICE?
Trump’s remarks reinforce earlier signals, where he had already expressed doubts about the proposal’s viability. In a social media post, he said Iran had “not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years.”
The US position reflects persistent concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme and regional posture. Washington has consistently pushed for verifiable limits on uranium stockpiles, while Tehran’s latest plan delays detailed nuclear negotiations to a later stage.
Iran, for its part, has confirmed it received a US response via Pakistan and is reviewing it. “At this stage, we do not have nuclear negotiations,” an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said. He did not reveal specifics of the response.
15-YEAR URANIUM FREEZE PLAN TO END WAR
According to fresh details reported by Al Jazeera, Iran’s proposal outlines a three-stage roadmap aimed at ending the war within 30 days and stabilising the wider region.
The first phase focusses on converting the current ceasefire into a full cessation of hostilities, including in Lebanon, with mutual commitments from all sides — the US, Israel and Iran-aligned groups — to halt attacks. It also proposes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran clearing sea mines while the US lifts its blockade on Iranian ports. An international mechanism would oversee compliance.
The second phase introduces a major concession: a 15-year freeze on uranium enrichment. After that period, Iran would resume enrichment at a capped level of 3.6 percent under a “zero-storage principle”, meaning it would not retain enriched uranium. Existing stockpiles would be transferred abroad or diluted. However, Tehran has refused to dismantle its nuclear infrastructure, which has been a key point of confrantaion.
Sanctions relief would be phased in gradually, including the release of frozen Iranian assets.
The third phase shifts towards long-term stability, proposing a regional security dialogue involving Arab states to build a broader framework for cooperation.
The proposal lays bare the central divide: sequencing. Iran has pushed to address military de-escalation and economic relief first, leaving the most contentious nuclear issues for later. Washington, however, insists that nuclear commitments must come early in any agreement.
TRUMP DOESN’T RULE OUT FORCE
The dispute plays out against the backdrop of continued pressure on the Strait of Hormuz, which has seen major disruptions during the conflict. Iran’s control over the passage has affected global oil flows, adding economic urgency to diplomatic efforts. Trump has not ruled out further military action if negotiations fail. Asked whether strikes could resume, he said: “If they misbehave, if they do something bad it’s a possibility that could happen.”
Despite a pause in large-scale military operations and a first round of talks, efforts to move negotiations forward have stalled. Regional dynamics, including ongoing tensions involving Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, continue to complicate the path to a broader settlement.
For now, however, Washington’s response loudly indicates an agreement is unlikely soon.
With inputs from agencies
