Trump Calls Iran Proposal “Totally Unacceptable” While Netanyahu Says War Isn’t Over

Tensions between the United States and Iran intensified again after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest response to a US-backed peace proposal, calling it “totally unacceptable” while warning that military action could resume despite the fragile ceasefire currently in place across the region.

Iran delivered its counterproposal to Washington through Pakistani mediators on Sunday, responding to a US framework aimed at ending the conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restarting negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program. According to Iranian media and multiple reports, Tehran demanded the lifting of sanctions, an end to the US naval blockade, the release of frozen Iranian assets, recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and guarantees against future attacks.

Iran also reportedly insisted on war reparations from the United States and rejected what state media described as “excessive demands” from Washington. Iranian broadcasters portrayed the American proposal as an attempt to force Tehran into surrender.

The original US proposal reportedly included a temporary suspension of Iranian uranium enrichment, the transfer abroad of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and the dismantling of nuclear facilities. Reports suggested Iran countered with a shorter enrichment freeze, a partial export of enriched uranium and the dilution of the remainder, while refusing to dismantle key nuclear infrastructure.

Trump responded publicly soon after reviewing the Iranian position. “I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘representatives’. I don’t like it – totally unacceptable,” he wrote on Truth Social. Earlier in the day, he accused Tehran of “playing games” with the United States and the wider world for decades, warning that Iran “will be laughing no longer.”

Despite the sharp rhetoric, the White House continues to publicly claim diplomacy remains possible. US ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Washington was giving negotiations “every chance we possibly can before going back to hostilities.” At the same time, Trump openly stated that US military strikes could resume if talks fail. He claimed the US had already completed roughly 70% of its intended military objectives but still had additional targets available if necessary.

“We could conceivably hit them,” Trump said, adding that even without new attacks, remaining operations would amount only to “final touches.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also signaled that Israel considers the war unfinished. In an interview with CBS, he argued that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium remains the central issue. “It’s not over, because there’s still nuclear material – enriched uranium – that has to be taken out of Iran,” Netanyahu said. He added that nuclear sites still need to be dismantled and claimed Trump had told him: “I want to go in there.”

Trump, however, appeared less alarmed publicly about the immediate status of Iran’s uranium reserves. He suggested US satellite surveillance and military monitoring were sufficient for now. “If anybody got near the place, we will know about it – and we’ll blow them up,” he said in an interview with Full Measure.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran possesses roughly 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity, close to weapons-grade levels. Iranian military officials stated the country’s armed forces remain on “full readiness” to defend the stockpile against sabotage or seizure attempts. Brigadier General Akrami Nia said Iranian commanders had considered scenarios involving infiltration operations or airborne raids targeting the material.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow’s earlier proposal to take custody of Iran’s enriched uranium as part of a future settlement remains available. Putin also claimed the conflict was “coming to an end,” although fighting and regional incidents continue despite the ceasefire.

The truce itself showed signs of weakening over the weekend. Qatar reported a drone strike on a commercial vessel in its territorial waters that caused a small fire. The UAE and Kuwait also reported drone incursions into their airspace, with Emirati officials saying two drones were shot down and blaming Iran. No casualties were reported.

Additional drone activity was reported near Erbil in northern Iraq, where a camp linked to an Iranian Kurdish opposition group was targeted. South Korea also released preliminary findings into damage sustained by one of its cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz, saying two unidentified aerial objects likely caused an explosion and fire aboard the vessel earlier this month.

Qatar condemned the strike near its waters as a “dangerous and unacceptable escalation” threatening regional shipping lanes and maritime trade. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani warned Iran against using the Strait of Hormuz as leverage, saying such actions would deepen the regional crisis and endanger global commerce.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the main flashpoints in the conflict. Iran effectively restricted access to the waterway after the outbreak of war, disrupting global shipping and driving up oil prices. Tehran later introduced a payment mechanism requiring ships to coordinate with Iranian authorities and reportedly pay transit fees. The US military, meanwhile, has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports since April, saying dozens of commercial vessels had been turned back.

Attempts by Washington to establish a protected maritime corridor under “Project Freedom” collapsed after only two US-flagged ships completed passage through the Gulf. Saudi Arabia reportedly refused to allow US forces to use its territory or airspace during the operation.

Iran also warned Britain and France against plans for a future multinational maritime security mission in the Gulf once hostilities end. Tehran said any foreign naval cooperation supporting what it called illegal US actions would face a “decisive and immediate response.” French President Emmanuel Macron later clarified that the proposed European effort would focus on protecting commercial shipping rather than military escalation.

Meanwhile, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has continued despite Trump claiming Lebanon was covered by the current ceasefire arrangements. Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Saturday reportedly killed 36 people and wounded dozens more, according to Lebanese health authorities, while the Israeli military said it intercepted Hezbollah drones approaching its positions in southern Lebanon.