Trump Rejects Iran Peace Response as Hormuz Standoff Drags On
NBC News reported Sunday that President Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s latest reply to a U.S. ceasefire proposal as “totally unacceptable.” The rebuke posted on Truth Social deepened uncertainty over the Hormuz standoff and pushed oil prices higher.
Iran Peace Talks Hit Another Wall
Trump said he had read the response from Iran’s representatives and simply stated he did not like it. He offered no specifics about the content. Iranian state media indicated the reply was conveyed through Pakistani intermediaries.
The two nations have exchanged fire in the Persian Gulf throughout the past month. A temporary ceasefire announced weeks ago was meant to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has continued blocking commercial vessel transit regardless.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright told NBC News’ Meet the Press that Washington was still waiting for a “clear resolution” from Iran. He said U.S. demands center on free navigation through the strait and a full end to Iran’s nuclear program. Wright added that energy prices would fall meaningfully once Hormuz traffic resumed.
Background: A Conflict That Started in February
U.S. and Israeli forces struck Iran on February 28, triggering the current conflict. Before hostilities began, roughly 20% of global oil supply moved through the Strait of Hormuz each day. Washington subsequently imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, cutting off the country’s primary source of oil revenue.
A U.S. intelligence assessment found Iran could withstand that pressure for several months without catastrophic economic damage. Analysts noted Tehran may exhaust oil storage capacity within two months and could be forced to curtail production. But a full economic crisis is not considered imminent.
Trump’s “Project Freedom” initiative — which would have used military vessels to escort merchant ships through the strait — was paused within days of its announcement last week.
What Officials Are Saying Now
U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz acknowledged to ABC News that negotiations had moved more slowly than anyone hoped. He stressed that diplomacy was continuing. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of abandoning diplomatic options in favor of military action.
Trump, speaking to NBC News on Friday, said the conflict was “over when it’s over.” He insisted the U.S. held effective control of the waterway and that Iran’s economy was under severe strain. He also signaled he would not rush a settlement at the expense of deal quality, saying he needed to secure the best possible terms.
Markets rallied last week on speculation a deal was near. That optimism has now cooled.
