Hopes of reaching a peace agreement between the United States and Iran faded on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump said the ceasefire with Tehran was close to collapse, following Iran’s rejection of a U.S. proposal to end the conflict and its insistence on a list of demands that Trump described as “nonsense.”
اضافة اعلان
Iran is demanding an end to the conflict on all fronts, including in Lebanon, where Israel, a U.S. ally, is engaged in fighting with the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tuesday that the United States has no option but to accept Iran’s 14-point proposal.
In a post on X, Ghalibaf said Washington must recognize the rights of the Iranian people as outlined in the proposal, warning that any alternative approach would be futile and lead to a series of failures.
He added that the longer the delay, the greater the financial burden on American taxpayers.
Iran also reaffirmed its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, demanded compensation for war-related damages, an end to the U.S. naval blockade, and other conditions.
The United States has proposed ending hostilities before beginning talks on more complex issues, including Iran’s nuclear program.
Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said Tehran could enrich uranium to 90% purity, a level considered weapons-grade, if the country were attacked again. He added that parliament would discuss the matter.
Trump said Iran’s response threatens the ceasefire that took effect on April 7.
Speaking to reporters, the U.S. president said: “I consider it at its weakest right now, after reading that nonsense they sent us. I didn’t even finish reading it.”
Sanctions and Diplomatic Pressure
On Monday, the United States imposed new sanctions on individuals and companies accused of helping Iran ship oil to China, as part of efforts to cut funding for Tehran’s military and nuclear programs.
Washington also warned banks against attempts to circumvent existing restrictions.
Trump is expected to arrive in Beijing on Wednesday, where Iran is expected to be among the topics discussed with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Shipping Through Hormuz
Although traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains significantly lower than before the war, shipping data from Kpler and the London Stock Exchange Group showed that three crude oil tankers passed through the waterway last week with tracking systems turned off to reduce the risk of Iranian attack.
The data also indicated that a second Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker was attempting to cross the strait, days after the first such shipment passed under an agreement involving Iran and Pakistan.
International and Domestic Pressure
In the United States, opinion polls suggest the war lacks broad public support, especially as American voters face rising fuel prices less than six months before the midterm elections, which will determine whether Trump’s Republican Party retains control of Congress.
Washington has also faced challenges in rallying international support, with NATO members reportedly declining to send ships to reopen the waterway without a comprehensive peace agreement and an internationally mandated mission.
In separate statements on Monday, the U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio held calls with his Australian and British counterparts to discuss ongoing efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, a Turkish diplomatic source said Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is holding talks in Qatar on Tuesday regarding the Iran conflict and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
The source added that Fidan has maintained close contact with the United States, Iran, and Pakistan, which is acting as a mediator, since the conflict began.
