Trump Reviews Iran Peace Offer But Warns Strikes Remain on the Table

NBC News reported Saturday that President Donald Trump is reviewing an Iran peace offer but expressed serious doubts about its viability. The U.S.-Iran conflict has now stretched into its tenth week with no clear resolution in sight.

Trump Signals Deep Skepticism Over Iranian Proposal

Writing on Truth Social, Trump said he could not imagine the offer would be acceptable. His reasoning was that Iran had not yet paid a sufficient price for its actions over the past several decades. Hours earlier, Trump had told reporters at Palm Beach International Airport that he had only been briefed on the concept of the deal. He said he was awaiting the precise wording before making a final judgment.

The Iran peace offer as currently structured would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping and end the American naval blockade. However, it deliberately defers any resolution of Iran’s nuclear programs to a later stage of negotiations. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned Sunday that Washington’s window for decision-making was narrowing fast.

Also Read: Fed Holds Rates Steady Amid Trade War Uncertainty

Background: A Ten-Week Military Standoff

The conflict began in early March and has escalated into a full naval and air confrontation. The United States has enforced its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz since April 13, deploying two carrier strike groups, more than a dozen warships, and over 100 aircraft. Last month, a U.S. Navy destroyer seized an Iranian cargo vessel that attempted to breach the blockade.

Trump has previously described the American blockade as “friendly,” insisting no party is challenging it. On Friday, he said he was “not satisfied” with Iran’s earlier proposal. He nonetheless acknowledged Saturday that a deal remained preferable to renewed bombardment.

Also Read: Global Oil Markets Brace for Prolonged Middle East Disruption

Congress Pushes Back as War Powers Deadline Passes

The conflict passed the 60-day threshold this week, triggering the War Powers Resolution of 1973. That law requires presidential war authorization from Congress after that point. The Senate voted Thursday to reject a war powers resolution for the sixth consecutive time. The measure failed 47 to 50, with nearly all Democrats supporting it and nearly all Republicans opposing it.

Trump has argued a brief ceasefire that took effect April 8 suspends the clock on any congressional authorization requirement. Legal experts and opposition lawmakers strongly dispute that interpretation. Israel’s continued strikes on southern Lebanon, where more than 2,600 people have died since early March, are further complicating the diplomatic picture.

Read Next: What the Strait of Hormuz Closure Means for Global Energy Prices