Trump Casts Doubt on Iran’s Peace Proposal, Leaving Door Open for Fresh U.S. Strikes

Iran’s Peace Plan Under Scrutiny

According to ХВИЛЯ: U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism over a peace plan put forward by Iran, declining to rule out the possibility of renewed military strikes. The Iranian proposal calls for a 30-day window to reach an agreement, which includes:

• reopening the Strait of Hormuz
• lifting the U.S. naval blockade
• halting hostilities in Iran and Lebanon

After that, an additional month would be set aside for negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. Trump remarked that Iran has not yet paid a high enough price and argued that the offer cannot be accepted given the actions of Iranian leaders over the past 47 years.

Trump also noted that he does not rule out new strikes on Iranian targets if Tehran 'behaves badly.' Under the plan, Tehran demands:

• withdrawal of U.S. forces from areas near Iran
• removal of the naval blockade
• cancellation of sanctions
• payment of reparations

The nuclear issue is not mentioned in the document. Meanwhile, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that the plan envisions a full end to the conflict within 30 days and includes guarantees against further strikes.

War and Economic Fallout

The conflict began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, and since then, according to Bloomberg, thousands have died, mostly in Iran and Lebanon. On Sunday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry reported a phone call between chief negotiator Abbas Araghchi and his Omani counterpart, in which he provided an update on the latest negotiation efforts. Araghchi stated that Iran is ready to continue talks if Washington abandons excessive demands, threats, and provocative actions. He also noted that the military remains on full alert.

The economic situation in the Middle East remains tense. Under normal conditions, roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied gas exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. On Friday, Brent crude traded near $108 per barrel, up 2.7% for the week. Gasoline prices in the U.S. have risen well above $4 per gallon, fueling concerns in the White House about potential fallout in the November midterm elections due to high fuel costs.

OPEC+ has taken a symbolic step by approving a production quota increase of 188,000 barrels per day. However, no actual production increase is expected as long as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked. This move comes in response to the UAE’s surprise withdrawal from the cartel effective May 1. At the same time, Iran is beginning to cut its own output as onshore storage fills up. Mona Yacoubian, director of the Middle East program at CSIS, noted that 'Iran’s pain threshold is quite high' and believes Tehran thinks it can 'outlast Washington in a war of attrition.'

The situation between Iran and the U.S. leaves room for further escalation of the conflict. The lack of clear compromises and the continuation of hostilities heighten risks not only for the region but also for the global economy, which is already feeling the impact of rising oil prices. With tensions mounting, the importance of diplomatic efforts becomes critical to avoiding further escalation. The uncertainty in relations between these two nations could have long-term consequences not only for the Middle East but also for global stability.

As tensions escalate in the region, Iran's recent actions, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz for the second time, highlight the complex dynamics at play. This move, prompted by U.S. actions and European pressure, underscores the precarious situation surrounding the peace negotiations and the potential for further military confrontations. Understanding these developments is crucial as they could significantly impact the ongoing discussions and the broader geopolitical landscape.