Trump not happy with latest Iran proposal to end the war, US official says

العالم

Khaleej Times

2026/04/28 - 03:20 501 مشاهدة

Iran pushes phased talks; nuclear programme left until final stage

Senior Iranian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the proposal makes the phased talks with nuclear issue to be set aside at the start.

Only after receiving security guarantees against a return to war and other assurances would talks move to broader issues, including the longstanding dispute over Iran’s nuclear programme.

Iran is also still seeking some kind of US acknowledgement of its right to enrich uranium.

Iran seeks security guarantees before talks

Senior Iranian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the proposal delivered by Araghchi to Islamabad over the weekend called for phased talks, with the nuclear issue deferred at the outset.

A first step would require ending the US-Israeli war on Iran and providing guarantees that the US cannot start it up again.

Then negotiators would resolve the US Navy's blockade of Iran's trade by sea and the fate of the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran aims to reopen under its control.

Trump's falling approval ratings

With his approval ratings falling, Trump faces domestic pressure to end a war for which he has given the US public shifting rationales.

'Legalisation of piracy, armed robbery on high seas'

Iran's foreign ministry condemned US seizures of Iran-linked tankers as "outright legalisation of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas" in a social media post.

Between 125 and 140 ships usually crossed in and out of the strait daily before the war, but only seven have done so in the past day, according to Kpler ship-tracking data and satellite analysis from SynMax, and none of them were carrying oil bound for the global market.

Iran's nuclear programme remains US red line

That is unlikely to satisfy the US, which says nuclear issues must be addressed from the outset.

Trump was unhappy with Iran’s proposal for that reason, a US official briefed on the president’s Monday meeting with advisers said on condition of anonymity.

White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said the US "will not negotiate through the press" and has "been clear about our red lines" as the Trump administration looks to end the war against Iran it began in February alongside Israel.

What does the Iranian proposal entail?

Iran's latest proposal would set aside discussion of Iran's nuclear programme until the war is ended and disputes over shipping are resolved, based on Reuters.

Senior Iranian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the proposal carried by Araghchi to Islamabad over the weekend envisioned talks in stages, with the nuclear issue to be set aside at the start.