President Trump abruptly dismissed Iran's response to a U.S. proposal aimed at ending Middle East conflict, posting on Truth Social Sunday that he found the Iranian message unacceptable. Trump provided no specifics about the substance of Iran's reply, which Tehran conveyed through Pakistani intermediaries, but made his displeasure clear: "I don't like it."
The rejection marks a fresh setback in negotiations that have dragged on for weeks with mounting tension. Diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran have stalled as military confrontation continues. On Saturday, U.S. and Iranian forces traded fire in the Persian Gulf, more than a month after both sides announced a temporary ceasefire meant to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which roughly 20% of the world's oil flowed before hostilities escalated.
Iran remains blocking maritime passage through the strait, straining global energy supplies and keeping markets on edge. Recent optimism had briefly lifted stock values and depressed oil prices as talk of a breakthrough intensified, yet Trump's Sunday statement punctured that hope.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright told NBC News the administration was still pressing Iran for explicit movement. "We're seeking the free flow of traffic through the international waters that are the Straits of Hormuz, and an end to the Iranian nuclear program," Wright said on "Meet the Press." He stressed that reopening the strait would lower energy prices nationwide.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz acknowledged the talks have moved slower than preferred but emphasized negotiations remain active. "Those negotiations and that diplomacy is ongoing," Waltz told ABC News.
The stalled diplomacy comes as Trump's military escort plan, called "Project Freedom," was paused last week just days after launch. The U.S. has simultaneously maintained its own blockade of Iranian ports, cutting off Tehran's critical oil exports and economic lifeline. Intelligence assessments suggest Iran could endure such pressure for several months without immediate economic collapse, though oil analysts say the regime faces growing pressure on storage capacity and may eventually be forced to curtail production.
In a Friday phone interview with NBC News, Trump indicated he was in no hurry to settle. When asked if the conflict was over, he said flatly, "No." He added, "It's over when it's over." Trump stressed that better terms mattered more than speed. "I don't want to get there if it means I can't make the best deal," he told the network. "I've got to make good deals. We're pretty close."
Trump boasted about America's military position, claiming the U.S. now controls the strait and has choked off Iranian commerce. "We really control it, they don't," he said. "There are no boats going into Iran. They're dying."
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi fired back Friday, accusing the U.S. of abandoning diplomacy whenever solutions neared. "Every time a diplomatic solution is on the table, the U.S. opts for a reckless military adventure," Araghchi said.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Trump's quick dismissal signals the administration is willing to drag out this standoff indefinitely rather than compromise, betting that economic starvation will break Iran's will before American patience breaks."
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