Trump rejects Iran proposal as ceasefire strains, War Powers deadline looms

US President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with Iran’s latest proposal for renewed negotiations, signalling that the diplomatic stalemate between Washington and Tehran is far from over even as a fragile ceasefire holds.

Fresh proposal fails to satisfy Washington

According to Iranian state media, Tehran conveyed a fresh set of proposals to the United States through Pakistan on Thursday. However, speaking to reporters at the White House hours later, Trump said the offer fell short of expectations. “At this moment, I’m not satisfied with what they’re offering,” he said, without elaborating on specific objections.

Despite a ceasefire reached on April 8 that halted active hostilities, tensions persist between the two countries over key issues such as Iran’s nuclear programme and strategic waterways. A follow-up round of talks has yet to be scheduled after senior officials from both sides briefly met in Islamabad last month.

Divisions in Tehran complicate diplomacy

Trump described Iran’s leadership as divided and struggling internally, suggesting this lack of cohesion was affecting negotiations. While acknowledging some progress, he warned that a breakthrough remained uncertain. “They’re asking for things that I can’t agree to,” he said, adding that the United States still faced a choice between pursuing diplomacy or escalating military action.

Reports from US media indicated that Washington had proposed revisions to Tehran’s plan, including conditions tied to Iran’s nuclear activities during the negotiation period. Neither side has publicly disclosed the full contents of the proposals under discussion.

At a political rally in Florida, Trump reiterated his position, saying the US would not accept a weak deal or rush into an agreement. He maintained that any resolution must address core concerns to prevent future conflict.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran remained open to diplomacy, provided Washington softened what he described as its aggressive posture. In remarks shared on social media, he also emphasised that Iran’s armed forces were prepared to respond to any threats.

Pakistan continues mediation amid deadlock

Pakistan has continued to play a mediating role in the crisis, facilitating communication between the two sides. Officials in Islamabad say diplomatic efforts are ongoing, though significant hurdles remain before formal negotiations can resume.

War powers debate resurfaces in Washington

Separately, Trump informed Congress that hostilities linked to the conflict had effectively ended with the ceasefire, as a statutory deadline approached under the War Powers Resolution. The legislation limits a president’s ability to conduct military operations without congressional approval.

In a letter to lawmakers, Trump argued that no active exchanges had taken place since early April and that the situation no longer constituted ongoing hostilities. However, critics, particularly among Democratic legislators, have challenged that interpretation, pointing to the continued US military presence in the region as evidence that the conflict has not fully concluded.

While Trump has questioned the constitutionality of the law, legal experts note that its limits on presidential war powers remain a matter of debate. For now, with negotiations stalled and positions entrenched, both diplomacy and the ceasefire appear to be under strain.