An agreement between Iran and the United States appears more distant than ever. Tehran's new 14-point proposal has been resoundingly rejected by Donald Trump, reigniting tensions of war in the Middle East . For the White House, the Iranian offer is "insufficient" to even consider reaching an agreement to end the conflict: for the US president, it presents only symbolic improvements over the previous version and nothing more. The document, a US official told Axios, contains extensive language regarding Iran's commitment not to pursue nuclear weapons, but, in fact, no details regarding the suspension of uranium enrichment or the handover of existing stockpiles.

"I'm not open to any concessions," the tycoon then thundered, clearly frustrated by the stalemate that has now been going on for far too long. Thus, the president has decided to convene his national security advisers in the White House Situation Room to reassess the available military options, evaluating any updates provided by the Pentagon. The commander-in-chief has not yet made a decision on a possible resumption of strikes, but he now appears to have abandoned the more conciliatory and optimistic tone of recent weeks.

"Iran knows what's coming," he warned ominously. Despite wanting an agreement, Trump has now returned to concretely consider the possibility of a resumption of hostilities after most of his demands were rejected. According to reports, Iran has said it is willing to accept a long-term freeze on its nuclear program rather than a complete dismantling, provided that the highly enriched uranium, estimated at 400 kilograms, is transferred to Russia rather than the United States.

This proposal, according to the US president, is not enough. Trump has been repeating for months that he wants Iranian uranium in the United States and has previously rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer to transfer it to Russia. In addition to the opening on nuclear issues, in the proposal sent to the United States, Tehran called—according to Al-Arabiya—for a long, multi-phased truce, as well as a gradual and secure opening of the Strait of Hormuz, with a guaranteed role for Pakistan and Oman in the event of conflict.

For this important maritime crossroads, Iran's Supreme National Security Council has announced the creation of a new body to manage it, called the Persian Gulf Straits Authority. Meanwhile, Hormuz remains effectively closed, and its reopening currently appears distant. According to reports by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, the United States has proposed a temporary waiver of sanctions on Iranian oil in exchange for a peace agreement and the reopening of the Strait. "There will be no lifting of sanctions free of charge and without reciprocal action from Iran," a White House official clarified. And to try to alleviate pressure on oil prices and mitigate the impact of crude oil shortages, the United States has granted a new 30-day waiver for Russian oil.

This will provide "greater flexibility and help stabilize the market," explained US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, noting that the revocation will also reduce "China's ability to accumulate oil at a discount." This is a dig at Beijing, where Vladimir Putin is arriving just days after Trump's state visit, confirming the role Xi Jinping seeks to carve out for himself on the global diplomatic stage. While the Chinese president continues to weave his diplomatic web, Pakistan—a mediator between Iran and the United States—has meanwhile deployed 8,000 troops and fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, further increasing tensions in the region.

(Unioneonline)

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