'Totally unacceptable': Trump rejects Iran's peace proposal amid deepening energy crisis
US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran's proposal to end months-long conflict describing it as 'totally unacceptable' without disclosing further details despite key Republican leader urged him to consider military option.
Trump received the Iranian proposal on Sunday amid hopes that it could lead to a breakthrough to end the war with Iran that began on February 28, blocking the key sea route for global oil supplies, leading to fuel shortages in several countries.
“I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘Representatives.’ I don’t like it - TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform on Sunday.
Trump has also accused Tehran of playing games with the United States for nearly 50 years. “They will be laughing no longer!” he added.
“I don’t like their letter. It’s inappropriate. I don’t like their response,” Trump told US media outlet Axios, declining to go into further details about what was in the Iranian response.
“They have been tapping along many nations for 47 years,” he said.
Meanwhile, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said Trump should now consider taking military action.
“I appreciate President Trump’s earnest efforts to seek a diplomatic solution to change the behaviour of the Iranian terrorist regime,” he said in a post on X.
“However, between their constant attacks on international shipping, the persistent attacks on our Middle Eastern allies and now a totally unacceptable response to America’s diplomatic proposal, it is in my view, time to consider changing course,” Graham said.
The US-Israel war against Iran began on February 28, and the attacks were paused on April 8 after both sides agreed to a ceasefire.
Since then, the US and Iran have been holding talks to permanently end the conflict, but a final peace agreement has not yet been reached.
The US has been demanding that Iran clearly commit to stopping its uranium enrichment programme in return for the removal of sanctions and the release of billions of dollars in frozen Iranian funds.
The negotiations also include discussions on reopening the Strait of Hormuz blockade, an important route through which nearly one-fifth of the world’s crude oil supply passes.
- With inputs from agencies
