Middle East
US President Donald Trump speaks to journalists in Washington, DC on May 8, 2026. Photo: AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US President Donald Trump on Sunday rejected Iran’s response to a US proposal aimed at ending months of conflict, calling Tehran’s position “totally unacceptable” amid stalled negotiations and renewed warnings from both sides.
“I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘Representatives.’ I don’t like it - TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Trump’s remarks came hours after Iranian state media reported that Tehran had formally delivered its response to the latest American proposal through Pakistani mediators. According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), “The response of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the latest US proposed text for ending the war was sent today through a Pakistani mediator.”
The state-run outlet added that the proposed framework would focus on “ending the war in the region” during the current phase of negotiations.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Iran’s latest response failed to satisfy a key American demand regarding Tehran’s nuclear activities. The report said, “The latest response doesn’t resolve the U.S. demand for commitments in advance on the fate of Iran’s nuclear program and its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.”
The newspaper added that Tehran instead proposed a phased de-escalation plan tied to maritime access and sanctions relief. “Instead, Iran is proposing an end to the fighting and a gradual opening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic as the U.S. lifts its blockade on Iranian ships and ports,” the report added.
The diplomatic push follows six weeks of intense hostilities between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Washington and Tel Aviv launched a large-scale aerial campaign against Iran on February 28, targeting more than 17,000 sites across the country before a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire took effect on April 8.
Although the truce paused fighting and opened the door to negotiations, talks have yet to produce a final agreement. A first round of negotiations concluded on April 11 without a breakthrough, while a second round remains pending.
Earlier this week, Trump warned that if Iran failed to accept terms already discussed, “the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”
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