President Donald Trump had just two words for the Iranian regime’s latest overture of peace.
Totally Unacceptable.
“I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘Representatives.’ I don’t like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!” Trump posted on Truth Social Sunday night.
Iran’s peace offer was delivered through Pakistani mediators, but failed to include any provisions addressing its nuclear program, the one issue Trump has called non-negotiable from day one.
Instead, Tehran demanded that Trump end the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, send them billions in frozen Iranian cash, pay compensation for war damages, and recognize Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran also insisted on a halt to fighting on all fronts, including in Lebanon where Israeli forces are still fighting Iranian-backed Islamic terror group Hezbollah.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry called its own proposal “reasonable” and “generous.” It called Washington’s demands a request for “surrender.”
“We did not demand any concessions — the only thing we demanded was Iran’s legitimate rights,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Monday.
Trump’s rejection of Iran’s demands left the Strait of Hormuz closed, and oil prices jumped $3 a barrel on the news. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude hit $100.30 per barrel Monday as markets absorbed the reality that the war is far from over.
Inside Iran, extremist hardliners are reportedly trying to sabotage any peace deal, according to CNN, and believe they can defeat the United States outright.
The shooting war is escalating alongside the diplomatic falters. The United Arab Emirates shot down two Iranian drones fired at the country Sunday. Qatar condemned a drone attack that struck a cargo ship in its waters. Kuwait said its air defenses also engaged Iranian drones fired into its airspace.
U.S. and Iranian negotiations first met face-to-face in Islamabad, Pakistan on April 11, but after 21 hours the meeting was ended without a peace deal. Iran refuses to abandon its nuclear program, Vice President JD Vance said.
For Trump, the bottom line has not changed since day one.
Iran must commit to never obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles must leave the country. Iran’s underground nuclear facilities must be dismantled.
Tehran’s latest offer addressed none of it.
The war goes on.