Iran Signals Review of U.S. Reply to Peace Proposal as Military Threats Escalate

Tehran says it is assessing Washington’s response to a 14-point plan while both sides exchange warnings amid continued stalemate.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

Iranian officials said Sunday they are evaluating a U.S. response to a proposed framework aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, as tensions remain elevated and both governments continue to exchange warnings over potential military action.

A spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, Esmaeil Baqaei, confirmed that Tehran had submitted a 14-point proposal centered on ending hostilities and reopening key trade routes. He said a reply had already been delivered through Pakistani mediators and that Iran is now reviewing it. “We are reviewing this and will take whatever response is necessary regarding it,” Baqaei said in remarks broadcast on state television.

The proposal comes as negotiations have remained stalled since a ceasefire took effect on April 8. Only one round of direct talks has been held since the pause in fighting, with no breakthrough achieved.

President Donald Trump publicly expressed skepticism about the proposal before a full review, stating in a post that he could not foresee accepting the plan. “I will soon be reviewing the plan that Iran has just sent to us, but can’t imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years,” he said.

According to a report from Axios, citing individuals familiar with the discussions, the proposal includes a one-month timeline for negotiations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ending the U.S. naval blockade, and concluding military operations in Iran and Lebanon.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards responded by framing the situation as a limited set of options for Washington. In a statement, the force said the United States must choose between “an impossible operation or a bad deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” adding that “the room for US decision-making has narrowed.”

European officials have expressed concern about the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy shipments. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, in a call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, reiterated support for diplomacy while urging immediate reopening of the waterway and verifiable commitments regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

Speaking to reporters in West Palm Beach, Florida, Trump did not specify what conditions might lead to renewed U.S. military action but acknowledged the possibility. “If they misbehave, if they do something bad, but right now, we’ll see,” he said. “But it’s a possibility that could happen, certainly.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the U.S. strategy as a broad economic campaign extending beyond naval enforcement. In a televised interview, he said, “We are suffocating the regime, and they are not able to pay their soldiers. This is a real economic blockade, and it is in all parts of government — all hands on deck.”

Iranian officials and military figures also issued warnings. Mohsen Rezaei, a senior adviser to Iran’s leadership, posted a message stating that Iranian forces were capable of targeting U.S. naval assets, writing that American carriers could face destruction if conflict escalates. No confirmed incidents of such actions have been reported.

Additional diplomatic friction has emerged over Iran’s nuclear program. A recent report indicated that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff raised the issue again in discussions, while Iran’s mission to the United Nations accused Washington of inconsistency, pointing to the size of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.

Control of the Strait of Hormuz remains a central point of contention. Iran has restricted access to the passage during the conflict, while U.S. forces have maintained pressure on Iranian ports. The disruption has contributed to a significant rise in global energy prices, with oil trading roughly 50 percent higher than levels seen before the conflict began.

Inside Iran, economic strain is intensifying. Officials have considered legislation to regulate the strait, with a portion of transit revenue proposed for military infrastructure and the remainder allocated to domestic development. Deputy parliamentary speaker Ali Nikzad said the management of the strait now carries greater strategic importance than nuclear capabilities.

Residents have begun to feel the effects of the prolonged crisis. One Tehran resident, identified as Amir, described the situation as increasingly difficult, saying, “Everyone is trying to endure it, but… they are falling apart.” He added that many households have relied on savings and assets to manage rising costs, warning that conditions may worsen as those resources are depleted.

The exchange of proposals and warnings reflects ongoing uncertainty, with no clear resolution in sight as both sides weigh diplomatic and military options.