Iran Rejects Key U.S. Nuclear Demands in New Counter-Proposal
Iran has rejected major U.S. demands included in a 14-point American proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal citing sources familiar with the negotiations.
The Iranian response was delivered to the United States on Sunday through Pakistani mediators. Tehran reportedly refused Washington’s request to dismantle its nuclear facilities and also rejected a proposed 20-year suspension of uranium enrichment activities.
U.S. President Donald Trump reacted strongly to Iran’s response, calling it “totally unacceptable” in a post on social media.
Iran Proposes Gradual Strait of Hormuz Reopening
According to the report, Iran’s multi-page counter-proposal included an offer to gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping traffic.
Tehran also requested that the United States lift restrictions and blockades affecting Iranian vessels as part of a broader de-escalation plan.
Iranian officials reportedly suggested that a comprehensive agreement on nuclear issues could be negotiated over a 30-day period.
Under the proposal, Iran would dilute part of its highly enriched uranium stockpile while transferring the remaining material to a third country.
However, Tehran insisted that the uranium should be returned if future negotiations collapse.
Iran Accepts Temporary Enrichment Suspension
Iran signaled willingness to temporarily suspend uranium enrichment activities, but only for a shorter duration than the 20-year freeze requested by Washington.
Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB stated that Tehran’s proposal focuses on ending military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon, while also ensuring freedom and security of international shipping routes.
Netanyahu Holds Urgent Talks With Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly left a press conference near the Dead Sea and returned to Jerusalem for what Israeli media described as an urgent phone call with President Donald Trump.
Earlier in a pre-recorded CBS interview, Netanyahu stated that the conflict was “not over” and argued that the United States should directly secure Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile.
“You go in and you take it out,” Netanyahu said, while adding that reaching an agreement first would still be preferable.
Trump Says Iran Has Been “Playing Games”
President Trump intensified his rhetoric against Tehran earlier Sunday, accusing Iran of “playing games” with the United States for decades.
“They will be laughing no longer,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Speaking during an interview with the television program Full Measure, Trump claimed Iran had been “militarily defeated.”
“Their leaders are gone, the A team is gone, the B team is gone, and probably the C team is gone,” Trump said.
When asked whether military operations were finished, Trump responded that additional strikes remained possible.
“We could go in for two more weeks and do every single target. We’ve done probably 70% of the targets,” he stated.
U.S. Warns Military Action Could Continue
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said economic and political pressure on Iran’s leadership was increasing rapidly.
During an appearance on CBS’s Face the Nation, Wright warned that if clear progress was not achieved within days, Washington could return to military measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
At the same time, Democratic Senator Mark Kelly warned that U.S. weapons stockpiles had been depleted at a “shocking” pace during recent operations, adding that replenishing supplies could take years and potentially weaken America’s preparedness for a future conflict involving China.
Rising Regional Tensions in the Gulf
Regional tensions continued to escalate after drones struck a cargo ship in Qatari territorial waters and were intercepted over Kuwait early Sunday morning.
Qatar condemned the attack near Mesaieed port as “a flagrant violation of the principle of freedom of navigation.” No injuries were reported.
The United Arab Emirates also condemned the drone activity over Kuwait, calling it a violation of Kuwaiti sovereignty.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani reportedly warned Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that closing the Strait of Hormuz would only deepen the regional crisis.
He also met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House envoy Steve Witkoff in Miami on Saturday to discuss the situation.
Iran Warns of “Swift and Decisive” Response
Iran’s senior military commander Ali Abdollahi warned that Tehran would respond forcefully to any hostile action.
According to Iran’s Fars news agency, Abdollahi said Iran’s reaction would be “swift, severe, and decisive.”
Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared publicly since succeeding his father after the strikes that triggered the conflict in March.
Iranian officials stated that Khamenei remains in good health despite ongoing speculation surrounding his absence from public view.
