Iran Reviews US Response to Proposal Aimed at Ending Hostilities – Reuters

Diplomatic contacts between Iran and Washington over ending hostilities continue to advance. A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday that Iran is reviewing the US response to its latest peace proposal. Iran had previously received the American feedback through mediator Pakistan, and it is currently being examined by relevant departments.

**Proposal Focuses on Comprehensive Ceasefire and Sanctions Relief**

According to Iranian semi-official media reports, Tehran has put forward a 14-point plan as a response to an earlier 9-point US proposal. The core demands of the plan include: the withdrawal of US forces from near Iran's borders, the lifting of the maritime blockade on Iranian ports, the cessation of all hostile actions (covering Israeli military operations in Lebanon), and a call for both sides to reach a final agreement within 30 days. The plan emphasizes that the goal should be to "end the war," rather than merely extend the existing ceasefire arrangement. Notably, an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson explicitly stated that this proposal does not address the nuclear issue, which is precisely one of the core concerns of the US side.

**Initial US Response Lukewarm**

Despite open diplomatic channels, US President Trump has expressed a negative view of Iran's proposal. According to Israeli media outlet Kan News, Trump said outright after reviewing it that the plan is "unacceptable." He had also previously posted on social media that he expected the proposal would be difficult to accept, citing that Iran has "not paid enough of a price" over the past 47 years. At the same time, Trump maintained a wait-and-see stance, not ruling out future military action, saying the US could still act if Iran "misbehaves," but also stressing that "we are not leaving" and hoping to resolve the issue thoroughly.

**Diplomatic Maneuvering Amid Tensions**

Since the ceasefire took effect on April 8, tensions between the US and Iran have not fully cooled. Iran's earlier restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have already exerted pressure on global energy supplies. The back-and-forth of this proposal indicates that both sides are still exploring diplomatic solutions amid military confrontation. Markets will continue to monitor subsequent negotiation progress, and any signals regarding sanctions relief or military deployment adjustments could trigger volatility in energy markets.