Iran Vows to Never Surrender as Trump Rejects Counteroffer, Keeping Hormuz Blocked
CNBC reported Sunday that President Donald Trump flatly dismissed Iran’s latest peace counteroffer, calling it “totally unacceptable” in a Truth Social post. The rejection extends a ten-week military conflict that has paralyzed the Strait of Hormuz and rattled global energy markets.
Defiance on Both Sides of Iran Peace Negotiations
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded with equal resolve, writing on X that his government would never bow before its enemies. He insisted any willingness to negotiate did not signal weakness or capitulation. Iran’s army spokesperson, Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia, went further. He warned of “surprising options” should adversaries commit another miscalculation, suggesting future retaliation could extend into territory opponents had not anticipated. Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since fighting began, reportedly issued fresh military directives through state media without elaborating on their content.
The Nuclear Sticking Points
Tehran’s formal counteroffer includes war reparations, full sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, a complete lifting of sanctions, and the return of frozen Iranian assets. On the nuclear question, Iran has reportedly offered to dilute portions of its highly enriched uranium stockpile and transfer the remainder to a third country, with a clause requiring its return if Washington later exits any agreement. The U.S. is demanding a much longer suspension of enrichment, reportedly proposing a twenty-year moratorium. Iran has refused to dismantle its enrichment facilities outright, and has conditioned any reopening of Hormuz on an end to the U.S. port blockade.
Background: Ten Weeks of Conflict and Market Strain
The war has now stretched a full ten weeks and shows no clear diplomatic off-ramp. A Qatari LNG tanker crossed the strait on Sunday for the first time since hostilities began, a passage Iran reportedly approved to build goodwill with Qatar and Pakistan. The symbolic move did little to reassure traders. West Texas Intermediate crude for June delivery climbed more than 3% to $95.42 a barrel Monday, while Brent for July delivery rose above $104.49. Iranian drone attacks on Gulf neighbors continued over the weekend. The UAE intercepted two drones, Qatar condemned a strike that hit a cargo ship in its waters, and Kuwait reported hostile drones entering its airspace.
Xi Summit Now Overshadowed
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CBS that the war was not finished, citing Iran’s continued enrichment activity, proxy support, and ballistic missile development. The unresolved standoff now casts a shadow over a high-stakes summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this week. Washington has reportedly urged Beijing to press Tehran toward concessions, though China’s willingness to act as a pressure lever remains uncertain.
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