Iran offers new peace proposal but Trump 'not satisfied', says military action still an option

Iran has delivered a proposal to Pakistani mediators on Thursday (Apr. 30), but United States President Donald Trump says he is "not satisfied" with the offer.

Iran offers peace deal but Trump dissatisfied

“Right now, we have talks going on, they’re not getting there,” he told reporters on Friday (May 1), adding that his options remained “either blast them away or make a deal”, according to The Guardian.

When asked whether he would move forward with additional strikes, Trump said, "I'd prefer not. On a human basis, I'd prefer not, but that's the option."

On the contrary, Iran's foreign minister said Tehran was ready for diplomacy if the U.S. changes its approach, reported Reuters.

Iranian state media reported that the proposal was handed to Pakistan to pass on to Washington, though the contents were undisclosed.

However, reports suggest Iran may be softening some of its previous demands, including conditions surrounding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.

The White House has not commented on the exact contents of the proposal.

Ceasefire holds but tensions remain high

U.S. and Iran have been a ceasefire since Apr. 7, however tensions remain high as negotiations between both sides have reportedly stalled.

Iran continues to maintain restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz while the U.S. has imposed countermeasures targeting Iranian oil exports and ports, according to Euronews.

The prolonged disruption has contributed to global oil price spikes and broader economic concerns.

Trump's nuclear objectives still a hurdle for negotiations

In a previous bid by Iran, Tehran offered to reopen the strait but defer resolving the issue of the country's nuclear programme. However, the U.S. has reportedly proposed to reinject the issue of Iran's nuclear programme into the negotiations.

Two primary war obectives for Trump are to remove Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium and convince Tehran to suspend uranium enrichment.

According to The Guardian, regional diplomats think that it is possible to agree on a moratorium on enrichent of about 10 years, a halfway point for the two sides.

On the matter of handing Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium to the U.S., it could be sent to Iran's ally Russia instead.