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US President Donald Trump has said he will review a new Iranian peace proposal but cast doubt on its prospects, saying Tehran has "not yet paid a big enough price" for its actions in the region. The comments came after Iranian media reported that Tehran had submitted a 14-point proposal to Pakistan, which is acting as a mediator. The proposal reportedly includes ending the conflict on all fronts and establishing a new framework for the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's traded oil and gas passes in peacetime.

Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, said on Saturday that it was up to the United States whether to pursue a negotiated settlement or return to open war, but that Tehran was ready for either outcome. "Now the ball is in the United States' court to choose the path of diplomacy or the continuation of a confrontational approach," he told diplomats in Tehran, according to state broadcaster IRIB. "Iran, with the aim of securing its national interests and security, is prepared for both paths."

Coverage Comparison

Multiple outlets, including France 24 and The Hindu, have reported on Trump's skepticism and Iran's proposal. France 24's coverage emphasizes Trump's doubt and his statement that Tehran "had not yet paid a big enough price," while The Hindu highlights that Trump was "waiting for the exact wording" of the proposal. A senior Iranian official said the proposal would open shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and end the US blockade of Iran while leaving talks on Iran's nuclear program for later.

Meanwhile, the conflict on the ground continues. Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon have killed multiple people in recent days, with casualty figures ranging from three in the town of Sammaiyeh to seven in a series of strikes across the south, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency and other reports. A senior commander from Hezbollah's elite force was killed in an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, according to a source close to the group, and at least 11 people were killed in strikes across the south and east, per the Lebanese health ministry.

Key Claims

  • Iran's 14-point proposal: Submitted via Pakistan, it aims to end the conflict and create a new framework for the Strait of Hormuz, but sets aside discussion of Iran's nuclear program until later. Trump said he would review it but expressed doubt about its acceptability.
  • Strait of Hormuz standoff: The US and Iran remain locked in a standover over the strait, with the US maintaining a blockade of Iranian ports. Trump has said he is pausing the US effort to guide stranded vessels out of the strait to finalize a deal, but the blockade remains.
  • Iran's nuclear program: Iran's Supreme Leader has vowed to protect the country's nuclear and missile capabilities, which Trump has sought to curtail through airstrikes and as part of a wider deal.
  • Ceasefire violations: Israeli strikes on Lebanon have continued despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, killing civilians including women and children. The US and France have been involved in monitoring the ceasefire.
  • International reactions: China's foreign minister met his Iranian counterpart in Beijing, Russia's President hosted Iran's foreign minister, and the IMF has warned of an "adverse" global economic outlook due to the war's disruptions.

Perspectives

  • US perspective: Trump believes a deal with Iran is "very possible" but is prepared to resume bombardment if negotiations fail. He is pressing for a deal that addresses Iran's nuclear program and its regional threats.
  • Iranian perspective: Tehran says it is ready for talks or war, and its proposal aims to open shipping and end the blockade while deferring nuclear talks. The Supreme Leader has vowed to protect the country's nuclear and missile capabilities.
  • Regional perspective: Lebanon and other regional actors are concerned about continued Israeli strikes and the humanitarian toll. The UAE has banned its citizens from traveling to Iran, Lebanon, and Iraq, and Israel's military faces new challenges from Hezbollah's drones.
  • International community: NATO is seeking clarity on US troop drawdown from Germany, the IMF warns of economic risks, and China and Russia are engaging diplomatically with Iran.