DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has submitted its response to the latest U.S. ceasefire proposal through Pakistani mediators, expressing a desire for negotiations to focus on a permanent end to the war. However, President Donald Trump swiftly dismissed the proposal as “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!” without providing further details.
According to state TV, Iran aims to conclude the conflict on all fronts, including in Lebanon, where Israel is engaged with the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group, and to guarantee maritime security. Washington’s recent proposal reportedly outlined a deal to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and dismantle Iran’s nuclear program.
Earlier, Trump took to social media, accusing Tehran of “playing games” with the United States for nearly 50 years, adding, “They will be laughing no longer!” Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, previously told ABC that Trump is affording diplomacy “every chance we possibly can before going back to hostilities.”
Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been publicly seen or heard since the war began, reportedly “issued new and decisive directives for the continuation of operations and the powerful confrontation with the enemies” during a meeting with the head of the joint military command, as reported by the state broadcaster, without further specifics.
**Drone Attacks Target Gulf Arab Nations**
The fragile ceasefire faced a challenge when a drone caused a minor fire on a ship off Qatar. Concurrently, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait reported drones entering their airspace. The UAE stated it shot down two drones and attributed the incident to Iran. No casualties were reported, and no group immediately claimed responsibility.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry condemned the ship attack as a “dangerous and unacceptable escalation that threatens the security and safety of maritime trade routes and vital supplies in the region.” The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center did not disclose details regarding the ship’s owner or origin.
Brig. Gen. Saud Abdulaziz Al Otaibi, spokesperson for Kuwait’s Defense Ministry, confirmed that forces responded to drones but did not specify their origin. Iran and its allied armed groups, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, have reportedly conducted hundreds of drone strikes since the war commenced with U.S. and Israeli attacks on February 28.
**Iran on ‘Full Readiness’ to Protect Nuclear Sites**
Trump has reiterated threats to resume full-scale bombing if Iran fails to accept an agreement to reopen the Strait and roll back its nuclear program. Since the war’s onset, Iran has largely obstructed the strategic waterway, crucial for global oil, natural gas, and fertilizer shipments, causing market instability.
In response, the U.S. military has blockaded Iranian ports since April 13, claiming to have turned back 61 commercial vessels and disabled four. On Friday, two Iranian oil tankers, allegedly attempting to breach the blockade, were struck. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard navy has warned that any assault on Iranian oil tankers or commercial vessels would be met with a “heavy assault” on U.S. bases in the region and enemy ships.
Another contentious point in negotiations is Iran’s highly enriched uranium. The U.N. nuclear agency reports that Iran possesses over 440 kilograms (970 pounds) enriched to 60% purity, a technical step away from weapons-grade material.
In an interview published late Saturday, an Iranian military spokesperson stated that forces were on “full readiness” to safeguard uranium storage sites. Brig. Gen. Akrami Nia told the IRNA news agency, “We considered it possible that they might intend to steal it through infiltration operations or heli-borne operations.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an excerpt from a CBS interview airing Sunday, asserted that the war is not over because the enriched uranium must be removed from Iran. He quoted Trump as saying, “‘I want to go in there,’ and I think it can be done physically.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed Saturday that Moscow’s proposal to transfer enriched uranium from Iran to facilitate a settlement remains an option. The International Atomic Energy Agency director-general informed The Associated Press last month that the majority of Iran’s highly enriched uranium is likely housed at its Isfahan nuclear complex, a facility that endured U.S.-Israeli airstrikes during last year’s 12-day war and less intense attacks this year.
**Iran Warns Against French-British Effort in the Strait**
Iran’s deputy foreign minister issued a warning against a proposed French-British initiative aimed at bolstering maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz post-hostilities. Kazem Gharibabadi stated on social media, “The presence of French and British vessels, or those of any other country, for any possible cooperation with illegal U.S. actions in the Strait of Hormuz that violate international law will be met with a decisive and immediate response from the armed forces.”
French President Emmanuel Macron clarified that it would not be a military deployment but an international mission to secure shipping once conditions permit. Several attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf have occurred over the past week, leading to a temporary halt in a U.S. effort to “guide” ships through the strait.
South Korea announced preliminary findings from an investigation indicating that two unidentified objects struck the South Korean-operated vessel HMM NAMU approximately one minute apart while it was anchored in the strait last week, causing an explosion and fire. A foreign ministry spokesperson stated that officials have yet to identify those responsible.
#Iran #USCeasefire #Trump #MiddleEastConflict #StraitOfHormuz #NuclearProgram #Hezbollah #DroneAttacks #Diplomacy #InternationalRelations
