Ceasefire in Jeopardy? Trump Calls Iran's Proposal Rubbish, Issues Arise
The White House has firmly stated that the United States continues to reject any form of uranium enrichment activities within Iranian territory. The US government emphasised that President Donald Trump has never approved the “wish list” submitted by Tehran amid the intensifying conflict situation.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt revealed on Wednesday (08/04/2026) that the 10-point proposal put forward by Iran as the basis for a ceasefire in the US-Israel war against Iran differs significantly from the plan publicised by the Tehran government. Citing Al Jazeera, the initial plan included demands for the US to accept Iran’s right to enrich uranium, the granting of sanctions relief, and the permanent cessation of attacks against Iran.
“The President’s red line, namely the cessation of Iran’s uranium enrichment within Iranian territory, remains unchanged. Tehran’s 10 points have been thrown in the bin,” said Leavitt.
The issue of domestic uranium enrichment has been the main sticking point in previous talks between Tehran and Washington. Although Iran has repeatedly stated that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons and insists that uranium enrichment is a national right, the Trump administration continues to push for the complete dismantling of the country’s nuclear programme.
After more than 38 days of warfare, Washington and Tehran had actually announced a two-week ceasefire. This agreement includes the cessation of US attacks and Iran’s reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, whose closure at the start of the conflict had triggered a surge in global energy prices.
Leavitt disclosed that Iran’s initial 10-point proposal had literally been thrown in the rubbish bin by the Trump team, before Tehran submitted a revised plan.
“The idea that President Trump would accept Iran’s wish list as a deal is completely absurd. The President will only make a deal that serves the best interests of the United States,” said Leavitt.
On the other hand, President Trump had stated on Tuesday evening that Iran’s proposal provided a workable basis for negotiations. Leavitt added that Trump and his aides would focus on talks with Iran over the next two weeks, as long as the Strait of Hormuz remains open without restrictions or delays.
The spokesperson confirmed that the first round of negotiations would take place in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, this coming Saturday. The US delegation will be led directly by Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
However, on Wednesday, Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf expressed doubts about the fate of those talks. Ghalibaf accused the US and Israel of violating the ceasefire by continuing the war in Lebanon, failing to stop drones entering Iranian airspace, and denying Tehran’s right to uranium enrichment.
“Now, the ‘workable basis for negotiations’ has been openly and clearly violated, even before negotiations begin. In such a situation, a bilateral ceasefire or negotiations make no sense,” Ghalibaf wrote on his X account.
In response to victory claims from both sides, Leavitt echoed a Pentagon statement claiming superiority over Iran. She emphasised that Iran’s military strength has been crippled through large-scale military operations.
“Their navy, their missiles, their defence industry bases, and their desire and plans to build a nuclear bomb domestically will no longer be allowed, can no longer happen, thanks to the extraordinary success of Operation Epic Fury,” Leavitt asserted.
The Trump administration stated that US and Israeli attacks have destroyed Iran’s military capabilities, although Iran has continued to fire missiles and drones at Israel and across the region throughout the conflict. Washington argues that the main reason for the war is to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, although Trump had claimed in June 2025 that previous US strikes had already eliminated Iran’s nuclear programme.