Donald Trump has sharply criticised Iran’s latest response to a US-backed proposal intended to end the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, describing Tehran’s position as unacceptable.
Posting on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said he had reviewed the message delivered by Iranian representatives and expressed dissatisfaction with its contents.
Iranian state media reported that the response was transmitted through Pakistani mediators, although details of the communication were not publicly disclosed.
The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran, with diplomatic efforts struggling to gain momentum despite weeks of negotiations and intermittent signs of possible progress.
Fighting and military manoeuvres in the Persian Gulf have continued more than a month after a temporary ceasefire agreement was initially announced to facilitate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has continued restricting maritime traffic through the waterway, disrupting global oil supplies and contributing to broader economic uncertainty.
Despite the instability, global markets have recently reacted positively to hopes that a diplomatic breakthrough could still emerge, with oil prices easing over the past week as speculation around a potential agreement intensified.
Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Washington was still awaiting a definitive response from Tehran regarding the latest proposal.
Wright said the United States was seeking two key outcomes: unrestricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran’s nuclear programme.
He argued that restoring normal shipping operations through the strait would help stabilise global energy prices.
Meanwhile, US ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz acknowledged that negotiations had progressed more slowly than expected but insisted diplomatic engagement was continuing.
The latest developments follow the suspension of “Project Freedom,” the US naval initiative announced earlier this month to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
Although the escort mission was paused shortly after launch, Washington has maintained pressure on Tehran through a continuing blockade targeting Iranian ports and oil exports.
According to intelligence assessments cited by NBC News, Iran could potentially endure the blockade for several months without suffering catastrophic damage to its energy sector or triggering a major economic collapse.
Trump signalled in a recent interview that he does not believe the conflict has concluded, despite claiming the United States holds a military advantage.
“It’s over when it’s over,” he said during a phone interview with NBC News, while also stressing the importance of securing what he described as the “best deal” rather than rushing negotiations.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the dispute. Before the conflict escalated following US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, roughly 20% of the world’s oil shipments moved through the strategic passage.
Trump claimed the United States now effectively controls the route and said Iranian shipping activity had been severely restricted under the blockade.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticised Washington’s approach on Friday, accusing the US of repeatedly choosing military escalation whenever diplomatic opportunities emerge.
While the blockade is expected to reduce Tehran’s oil revenues over time, analysts say Iran may still be capable of sustaining domestic energy operations for months by redirecting oil supplies for internal consumption and avoiding widespread shutdowns of its oil infrastructure.
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