Donald Trump has dismissed Iran’s formal response to an American draft agreement aimed at resolving regional tensions, calling Tehran’s position “absolutely unacceptable” – only for Iranian officials to retort that the US president’s opinion “carries no weight” for their negotiating team.
Trump: Iranian reply “completely out of line”
The US president took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to voice his displeasure after Washington received Tehran’s counter-proposals, transmitted via Pakistani intermediaries.
“I have just reviewed the response from the so-called “representatives” of Iran. I do not like it – IT IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE!” Trump wrote.
Speaking later to Axios, he elaborated: “I don’t like their letter. It is inappropriate. I don’t like their response.” He declined, however, to specify which provisions had provoked his anger.
Iran dismisses Trump’s reaction
In Tehran, officials quickly played down the US president’s remarks. A spokesman for the Iranian negotiating team said Trump’s reaction “has no meaning” for the Islamic Republic’s diplomatic efforts.
The rebuff comes barely days after Trump had spoken of “good negotiations” with Iran and suggested a deal was within reach. He had previously claimed that Tehran appeared ready to abandon any pursuit of nuclear weapons, adding that the two sides “could very well come to an agreement.”
Washington sought deeper concessions
According to Reuters, the Trump administration had hoped for more concrete concessions from Iran, specifically regarding its nuclear programme and maritime security near the Strait of Hormuz.
American negotiators are understood to be pushing for a broader accord that would not only address de-escalation but also impose lasting limits on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. By contrast, details emerging from the Iranian plan suggest a more limited, time-bound approach.
What Tehran proposed – and what it refused
The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran had handed over a multi-page plan via Pakistani go-betweens. Key elements included:
- A one-month negotiation window on the nuclear file,
- Partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping during that period, in exchange for a loosening of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports,
- A willingness to transfer some stocks of highly enriched uranium to a third country for safekeeping, with guarantees that it would be returned to Iran if talks collapsed or if Washington withdrew from any future deal.
However, the WSJ noted that Tehran refused to accept a proposed 20-year moratorium on uranium enrichment and categorically rejected dismantling its nuclear facilities.
Netanyahu consulted as Israeli pressure mounts
The Guardian has learned from sources that Trump also discussed the situation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israeli officials have repeatedly stated that any continuation of Iran’s nuclear programme – even in a limited form – is unacceptable.
With both sides hardening their positions, the prospects for a swift breakthrough appear increasingly remote, even as mediators continue to shuttle between capitals.
