President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s counterproposal to a recent U.S. ceasefire initiative, labeling Tehran’s response “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE” amid continuing instability across the Middle East.
Iranian state media reported that the Islamic Republic delivered its formal reply through Pakistani intermediaries and is seeking broader negotiations aimed at permanently resolving an expanding regional conflict. Pakistani officials confirmed they received Iran’s message and serve as a communication channel between the two parties.
The reports indicate Tehran wants a comprehensive agreement covering multiple areas of active conflict, including combat in Lebanon involving Hezbollah and Israeli forces. Additionally, Iran has reportedly requested guarantees for the security of maritime shipping routes throughout the region.
The latest U.S. proposal included provisions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and limit Iran’s nuclear activities. Iranian officials, however, stated they prefer to separate nuclear negotiations from ceasefire discussions and address them later.
After reviewing Iran’s response, President Trump publicly dismissed the counteroffer with the statement: “I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘Representatives.’ I don’t like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!”
