Iran says its peace proposal was 'generous' after Trump calls terms 'totally unacceptable'

TEHRAN, IRAN: Iran on Monday, May 11, defended its latest proposal to end the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel, describing the terms as “reasonable” and “generous,” after President Donald Trump publicly dismissed the response as “totally unacceptable.”

The exchange marked the latest escalation in rhetoric as negotiations aimed at ending the months-long conflict continue through indirect channels.

Iranian officials said the proposal was delivered through a Pakistani mediator, while Trump reiterated that Washington would not compromise on Iran’s nuclear ambitions or allow disruption to global trade routes.

Iran says plan centers on ending war

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran’s latest proposal was intended to secure both national and regional interests.

Speaking during a televised press conference, Baghaei said, “everything we proposed in our text consisted of reasonable demands, responsible requests and generous proposals, not only for Iran’s national interests, but for the good, stability and security of the entire region and the world.”

According to Baghaei, Iran’s proposal included demands for an end to the war in the region, the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad under US sanctions pressure and an end to what he described as “maritime piracy against Iranian ships.”

Iranian state media reported that the counterproposal also called for recognition of Iran’s sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for damages caused during the conflict. 

“Regarding the continuation of the process, we have shown that regardless of all disturbances, we are focused on Iran’s national interests. We will act in any way necessary to secure our interests,” Baghaei added.

Trump responded to Iran’s proposal in a Truth Social post on Sunday, writing: “I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘Representatives.’ I don’t like it ,TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!” Iranian state media reports on the proposal did not publicly reference Tehran’s nuclear program, which remains a central issue in negotiations between both sides.

Oil prices climb on Hormuz tensions

Global oil prices climbed following Trump’s rejection of Iran’s proposal, amid concerns that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz could continue disrupting international energy supplies.

Brent crude rose nearly 3% to more than $104 per barrel, while US benchmark WTI crude increased above $97 per barrel.

Analysts said markets were reacting to fears that negotiations could stall and trigger further escalation in the region.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important shipping routes for oil and natural gas exports.

Since the conflict began, analysts estimate that between 10 and 12 million barrels of crude per day have been disrupted from global markets despite alternative export routes used by some Gulf producers.

Neil Wilson, a strategist at Saxo Bank, said Trump’s latest comments increased concerns over renewed conflict but noted that negotiations could continue. “There is going to be a fresh olive branch,” he said in a market note.