Trump Claims Iran Seeking Peace Deal
President Donald Trump stated that Iranian negotiators have acted “very different” and “strange,” claiming that Tehran is now “begging” the United States to reach a deal to end the nearly month-long conflict in the Middle East.
Strong Warnings From the White House
In a social media post, Trump urged Iran to move toward an agreement with Washington and repeated earlier claims that Iran’s military capabilities have been significantly weakened following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes.
He also issued a stark warning, saying that Iran must act quickly or face serious consequences, emphasizing that delays could lead to irreversible outcomes.
Iran Reviews U.S. Ceasefire Proposal
Reports indicate that Iran is currently reviewing a 15-point peace proposal put forward by the United States. According to Reuters, citing Iran’s Tasnim news agency, Tehran has already submitted a formal response to the proposed ceasefire plan.
Despite this, earlier signals from Iran suggested reluctance to engage in direct negotiations with Washington. The country has also introduced its own five-point proposal, which reportedly includes demands for reparations and new toll measures in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Escalation Risks Remain High
The White House has warned that additional air strikes could follow if Iran refuses to reach an agreement. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the administration is prepared to escalate further if necessary.
Oil Prices and Markets React to Ongoing Conflict
Financial markets have responded to the uncertainty, with stocks declining and oil prices remaining above the $100 per barrel level. Although prices have eased slightly from recent highs near $120, they remain elevated compared to pre-conflict levels.
A key concern remains the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route through which around 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas supply flows. The waterway has been largely disrupted due to ongoing security threats.
Military Developments Intensify Tensions
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Alireza Tangsiri, commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy, was killed in recent strikes. He was reportedly linked to operations that contributed to the disruption of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump Signals Desire to End Conflict Quickly
Despite the escalating tensions, Trump has reportedly told advisers that he wants to avoid a prolonged war and aims to bring the conflict to a close soon. According to reports, he believes the situation could be resolved within a four-to-six week timeframe.
Plans for a potential mid-May summit with China are also said to align with this timeline, suggesting expectations that the conflict could conclude before then.
Criticism of NATO Allies
Separately, Trump criticized NATO allies for what he described as a lack of support in the U.S. military efforts against Iran. He stated that allied nations have contributed little to the campaign, emphasizing that the U.S. is capable of acting independently if necessary.
