Iran Finally Responds to US Peace Offer, Here is Trump's Counter-Response

US President Donald Trump has once again rejected Iran’s latest response to the peace proposal submitted by Washington to end the war, amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz even as two ships successfully crossed the strategic shipping route.

Trump openly criticised Tehran’s response via a post on the Truth Social platform on Sunday (10/5/2026) local time. He deemed Iran’s answer completely unacceptable, without providing further details on the content of the rejection.

“I just read the response from what they call the ‘Representative’ of Iran. I don’t like it - COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE,” Trump wrote.

The statement came after Iran sent an official response to the US proposal, which previously offered a cessation of hostilities before discussions on more sensitive issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme, could begin.

Iranian state media reported that the response emphasised the cessation of war on all fronts, particularly in Lebanon, as well as security for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iranian state television did not explain how or when the vital shipping lane would be fully reopened.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency stated that Iran’s proposal included several key demands: an immediate cessation of war across all fronts, an end to the US naval blockade, guarantees of no further attacks on Iran, and the lifting of sanctions on Tehran, including the US ban on Iranian oil sales.

A Wall Street Journal report, citing anonymous sources, also mentioned that Iran offered to dilute part of its highly enriched uranium and transfer the remaining stock to a third country.

Pakistan, which has acted as a mediator in the conflict talks, reportedly forwarded Iran’s response to the US side. A Pakistani official confirmed the move, while Washington has yet to provide an official comment.

Although a ceasefire has been in place for about a month and the Gulf region has been relatively calm in the last 48 hours, security threats remain palpable. Hostile drones were reportedly detected in several Gulf countries on Sunday, indicating that the risk of escalation still looms over the region.

In the midst of this situation, the QatarEnergy liquefied natural gas carrier Al Kharaitiyat successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz safely and headed to Qasim Port in Pakistan, according to data from shipping analytics firm Kpler. The vessel became the first Qatari ship to carry LNG through the strait since the war began on 28 February following US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

Sources indicated that the transit received Iran’s approval as a confidence-building measure with Pakistan and Qatar, which also serve as mediators.

Additionally, a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship bound for Brazil also successfully crossed the strait using a route designated by the Iranian armed forces. Tasnim reported that the vessel had previously attempted to pass through the strait on 4 May.

Pressure on Trump to end the war quickly continues to mount ahead of his visit to China this week. The conflict has triggered a global energy crisis and added threats to the world economy.

Iran itself continues to restrict most non-Iranian shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that before the war carried about one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. The route has now become one of the main pressure points in the conflict.

When asked if military operations against Iran had ended, Trump gave an ambiguous response.

“They have been defeated, but that doesn’t mean they are finished,” he said in an interview aired on Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also emphasised that the war is not over. According to him, there is still significant work to be done regarding Iran’s uranium, enrichment facilities, proxy groups, and Tehran’s ballistic missile capabilities.

“There is more work to be done,” Netanyahu stated.

In an interview on the CBS programme, Netanyahu said the best way to eliminate enriched uranium is through diplomatic channels, though he did not rule out the use of military force.

On the other hand, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian affirmed that his country will not bow to enemy pressure.

“Iran will never submit to the enemy,” Pezeshkian wrote on social media. He also emphasised that his country will “strongly defend national interests.”

Meanwhile, plans to form an international mission to ensure shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz have drawn strong warnings from Tehran.

Although Washington has imposed its own blockade on Iranian vessels since last month, Tehran is seen as playing for time before giving a full response to the ceasefire demands, which are becoming unpopular among US voters due to surging petrol prices.

Less than six months before the US congressional elections, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the Trump administration continues to seek various ways to lower fuel prices.

“We continue to look for different ideas,” Wright said in an interview with NBC.

However, the US also faces limited international support. NATO allies have rejected Washington’s request to send ships to open the Strait of Hormuz without a full peace agreement and an official international mandate.

Domestically, Trump must also face pressure from the Democratic Party, which is seeking to end the war through the War Powers Act legislation.

Senior Democratic Senator Jack Reed even assessed that the situation has worsened due to Trump’s own policies.

“This is a situation that is getting much worse because of Donald Trump’s actions, and now he’s scrambling to find a way out of this situation,” Reed told Fox News.