Trump Rejects Iran's Peace Plan, Tehran Responds with Warning

US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran's proposal to end the over two-month-long war in the Middle East, claiming Tehran's terms were 'totally unacceptable' and raising the likelihood of renewed conflict. The American commander-in-chief claimed the Islamic republic was 'militarily defeated', as he insisted that Tehran's nuclear programme has been contained.

Iran responded by warning it would not hold back from retaliating against any new US strikes or permit more foreign warships in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state television reported that Tehran has also rejected the American counterproposal as amounting to surrender, insisting instead on 'war reparations by the US, full Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, an end to sanctions, and the release of seized Iranian assets'.

The US proposal, passed to Pakistani mediators, focuses on ending the war 'on all fronts, especially Lebanon' as well as on 'ensuring shipping security'. The US proposal had also reportedly focused on extending the truce in the Gulf to allow for talks on a final settlement of the conflict and on Iran's contested nuclear programme.

The conflict continues, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisting the war is not over until Iran's enriched uranium is removed and its nuclear facilities dismantled. The UN Security Council is expected to hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday to discuss the escalating tensions in the Middle East.