U.S. President Donald Trump publicly rejected Iran’s response to a U.S. proposal aimed at ending the war, calling it “totally unacceptable.” Iranian officials responded through the Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with the regime, saying: “Trump’s response changes nothing at all. If he is unhappy, that is even better. No one in Iran drafts plans to satisfy Trump. The negotiating team drafts them only for the Iranian people.” PressTV, another Iranian state-affiliated outlet, later reported that Tehran had rejected the U.S. initiative because it would have meant “Iran’s submission to Trump’s excessive demands.”
The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the response, that Iran’s multipage reply lays out Tehran’s demands in detail but does not resolve Washington’s demand for advance commitments on its nuclear program.
Instead, Iran is proposing an end to the fighting and a gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping as the United States lifts its blockade on Iranian ships and ports, the report said. Nuclear issues would be negotiated over the next 30 days.
Iran’s response, delivered to mediator Pakistan and forwarded to Washington, proposes diluting some of its highly enriched uranium and transferring the rest to a third country, according to the report. Tehran is also seeking guarantees that the transferred uranium would be returned if talks fail or if the United States later exits the agreement.
Iran also said it was willing to suspend uranium enrichment, but for less than the 20-year moratorium proposed by the United States. It rejected dismantling its nuclear facilities, the report said.
Trump accused Tehran on Truth Social of “playing games” with the United States and the world and relying on “delay” in its dealings with Washington.
“They will be laughing no longer,” he wrote.
Iran’s IRNA news agency reported Sunday that Tehran sent its response to mediator Pakistan. Reuters later cited a Pakistani government official involved in the talks as saying Pakistan had received the response and sent it to the United States.
Iranian state media said Tehran’s proposal focuses on ending the war on all fronts, especially in Lebanon, and ensuring maritime security.
The diplomatic push comes as Netanyahu told CBS News’ “60 Minutes” that the war with Iran is “not over,” saying Tehran still has enriched uranium that must be removed and enrichment sites that must be dismantled.
Netanyahu on '60 Minutes'
(Video: '60 Minutes')
“There’s still nuclear material, enriched uranium that has to be taken out of Iran,” Netanyahu said.
Asked how it should be removed, Netanyahu said: “You go in and you take it out,” but declined to discuss military options.
Meanwhile, fire resumed near the Strait of Hormuz after a relatively quiet 24 hours. A cargo ship was attacked by a drone near Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates said it intercepted two drones launched from Iran.
Britain’s maritime trade agency said a fire broke out aboard the ship near Doha. Qatar’s Defense Ministry later said the vessel was attacked in Qatari waters while heading to Mesaieed port. No casualties or environmental damage were reported.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Saturday in Miami with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Trump envoy Steve Witkoff also attended. Axios reported that the talks focused on a possible memorandum of understanding to end the war.
Britain said Saturday it would deploy the destroyer HMS Dragon to the Middle East as part of a British-French initiative to protect vessels crossing the Strait of Hormuz. Iran warned that European naval involvement would amount to escalation.
First published: 21:16, 05.10.26