Iran Receives US Response to Peace Talks Proposal Amid Ongoing Tensions
Iran announced on Sunday that it has received a response from the United States regarding its recent offer for peace talks. This development comes a day after President Donald Trump indicated he was likely to reject the Iranian proposal, citing that Iran “has not paid a big enough price.”
Iranian state media reported that the US conveyed its response to Tehran’s 14-point proposal through Pakistan. Currently, Iranian officials are reviewing the response, though there has been no immediate confirmation from either Washington or Islamabad regarding the details of the US reply.
Iran’s Position on Nuclear Negotiations
Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, stated that there are no ongoing nuclear negotiations at this time. This comment appears to reference Iran’s intention to postpone discussions on nuclear issues until after the conflict concludes and both sides agree to lift the blockades affecting Gulf shipping.
On Saturday, Trump mentioned that he had not yet reviewed the specific wording of the Iranian peace proposal but expressed skepticism about its acceptability. He stated on social media, “I will soon be reviewing the plan that Iran has just sent to us, but can’t imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years.”
Current Military Operations and Diplomatic Efforts
The United States and Israel halted their bombing campaign against Iran four weeks ago, and US and Iranian officials engaged in one round of talks. However, efforts to schedule further meetings have not yet materialized. Iran submitted its latest proposal on Thursday, and a senior Iranian official confirmed that Tehran aims to resolve the war and shipping standoff first, deferring nuclear discussions to a later date.
Despite initial dissatisfaction with the Iranian proposal, Trump indicated on Saturday that he was still considering it. He mentioned that he was awaiting the exact wording of the deal. When asked about the possibility of resuming military strikes against Iran, Trump refrained from making definitive statements, noting that if Iran misbehaves, “we’ll see.”
Diverging Proposals: Iran vs. Washington
Iran’s suggestion to delay nuclear negotiations contrasts sharply with Washington’s insistence on stringent restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program as a prerequisite for ending the conflict. The US demands that Iran relinquish its stockpile of over 400 kg of highly enriched uranium, which the US claims could be weaponized. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful but is open to discussing certain limitations in exchange for the lifting of sanctions, as outlined in a 2015 agreement that Trump later abandoned.
While Trump has repeatedly stated he is not in a rush, he faces domestic pressure to address Iran’s influence in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway for global oil and gas supplies. The ongoing situation has contributed to rising gasoline prices in the US, raising concerns among Trump’s Republican Party about potential voter backlash in the upcoming midterm congressional elections.
Iranian media reported that Tehran’s 14-point proposal includes demands for the withdrawal of US forces from nearby regions, lifting the blockade, releasing frozen assets, providing compensation, ending sanctions, and establishing a new control mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz. For over two months, Iran has restricted nearly all shipping from the Gulf except for its own, while the US has imposed its own blockade on vessels from Iranian ports.
A senior Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized that the latest proposal to postpone nuclear talks represents a significant shift aimed at facilitating an agreement. The official stated, “Under this framework, negotiations over the more complicated nuclear issue have been moved to the final stage to create a more conducive atmosphere.”
Escalating Tensions in Lebanon
On Sunday, Israel ordered the evacuation of thousands of Lebanese residents from villages in southern Lebanon, marking an escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Iran’s ally in the region. This situation complicates broader peace efforts, as Iran has insisted that talks with Washington cannot resume unless a ceasefire is maintained in Lebanon.
Israel invaded Lebanon in March to target Hezbollah after the Iranian-backed group fired across the border in support of Tehran. Although Lebanon and Israel reached a separate truce last month, hostilities have persisted, albeit on a smaller scale. The Israeli military issued an urgent warning to residents of 11 towns and villages in southern Lebanon, advising them to evacuate their homes and move at least 1,000 meters away to safer areas.
The military stated that it was conducting operations against Hezbollah following what it described as a violation of the ceasefire, cautioning that anyone near Hezbollah fighters or facilities could be at risk.
Source: www.arnnewscentre.ae
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Published on 2026-05-03 08:43:00 • By the Editorial Desk
