US President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media prior to a Marine One departure from the White House. (May 8, 2026)
Trump rejects “unacceptable” Iranian terms for ending war
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
President Donald Trump said Sunday he has rejected Iran's response to a US proposal for ending the Middle East war, deeming it "totally unacceptable."
"I have just read the response from Iran's so-called 'Representatives.' I don't like it -- TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, without describing elements of Tehran's response.
Iran sent its response to a US proposal to end the war in the region via Pakistan, Iranian state media reported on Sunday.
The Wall Street Journal said in a report that the Iranian response failed to meet US demands for guarantees regarding Tehran’s nuclear program and its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
According to sources cited by the WSJ, Iran proposed ending the fighting and gradually reopening the Strait of Hormuz in parallel with lifting what it described as the US blockade.
The response also reportedly included a proposal to dilute part of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile and transfer the remainder to a third country not affiliated with the United States.
Iran also demanded guarantees ensuring the return of the transferred uranium if negotiations collapse, the report said.
The sources added that Tehran expressed willingness to suspend uranium enrichment, provided the suspension lasts for less than 20 years.
However, the Iranian response rejected dismantling the country’s nuclear facilities, the WSJ added.
Iranian media response
Iranian media said Sunday that a report by the Wall Street Journal about Iran’s response to the US truce proposal is “unrealistic in important parts”.
Tasnim News Agency, citing an informed source, said the Iranian response emphasizes the necessity of an immediate end to the war and ensuring that Iran will not be attacked again
“Iran’s text also emphasizes the necessity of lifting US sanctions, ending the war on all fronts, and Iranian management of the Strait of Hormuz if certain commitments are fulfilled through the United States,” the report added.
Iran also insisted the US immediately end its naval blockade, immediately after signing the proposed initial understanding.
The Islamic Republic also wants the sanctions imposed by the US Treasury Department on Iranian oil to be lifted within a 30 day period.
The release of Iran's frozen assets with an initial understanding…is also part of Iran's text,” Tasnim added.
