President Donald Trump said Saturday he is studying a fresh Iranian proposal to end the standoff between the two nations, but he struck a decidedly cautious tone about its viability. Writing on Truth Social, Trump expressed doubt that Tehran's offer would prove acceptable, citing what he called insufficient consequences for Iran's actions over nearly five decades.
"I will soon be reviewing the plan that Iran has just sent to us, but can't imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years," Trump wrote.
Speaking to reporters at Palm Beach International Airport shortly before the post, Trump indicated he would move quickly to accept or reject the proposal. He suggested Iranian officials had only provided him with a conceptual overview so far. "They're going to give me the exact wording now," Trump said. This marks a slight shift from Friday, when he told reporters he was "not satisfied" with the offer, though he has now signaled willingness to examine the full text.
Iran's latest proposal centers on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping and ending the U.S. blockade in place since mid-April. The Iranian plan pushes discussion of nuclear issues into the future. The move comes after Iran has largely sealed off the critical waterway to foreign vessels for more than two months, allowing only its own ships through.
Trump has framed the choice starkly. In comments Friday, he told reporters the administration faced a binary decision: "Do we want to go and just blast the Hell out of them and finish them forever, or do we want to try and make a deal." He added he would "prefer not" to restart military operations, though military brass briefed him Thursday on strike options both at sea and inside Iran.
The enforced blockade represents a massive military deployment. The U.S. Navy has deployed more than 100 fighter jets and surveillance aircraft, two carrier strike groups, and over a dozen ships to maintain the blockade. Trump described the American effort as "friendly" and said "Nobody's even challenging it." Last month, a Navy destroyer seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship attempting to break through the cordon.
The negotiations play out against mounting pressure from Capitol Hill. Trump has argued that because a temporary ceasefire took effect April 8, he does not require congressional approval to continue military operations. However, the War Powers Resolution of 1973 mandates that the president seek authorization from Congress once military operations exceed 60 days. U.S. operations in Iran crossed that threshold earlier this week.
The Senate voted Thursday for the sixth time on a resolution that would require congressional approval before continuing military operations against Iran. The measure failed 47-50, with all Senate Democrats except John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voting to support it. Two Republicans, Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky, broke ranks to vote yes.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Trump's deliberate pace here suggests he wants leverage in these talks, but his public skepticism sends a signal to Congress and Iran alike that any deal will need to clear a high bar."
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