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A senior Iranian military officer warned on Saturday, May 2, that a return to active hostilities with the United States is “likely,” just hours after Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Iran’s latest negotiating proposal.
Iran submitted a new draft proposal to mediator Pakistan on Thursday evening. While state media has not disclosed the full contents, reports indicate that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has responded with amendments that would bring Tehran’s nuclear programme back into focus during negotiations.
The proposed amendments reportedly include strict conditions requiring Iran to stop relocating enriched uranium from sites damaged by bombing and to suspend all activity at those locations throughout the duration of the talks.
The conflict, which began in late February, has seen a fragile pause in fighting since April 8. However, rhetoric from both sides remains highly charged.
Speaking to reporters, Trump cited “tremendous discord” within Iran’s leadership as a key reason for stalled negotiations. He framed the situation as a stark choice between a comprehensive military outcome and a diplomatic resolution, stating that while he would prefer a deal on a “human basis,” the alternative would be to “blast the hell out of them and finish them forever.”
Mohammad Jafar Asadi, a senior figure in Iran’s military central command, dismissed the prospects of a diplomatic breakthrough, arguing that the United States cannot be trusted to honour agreements. Meanwhile, Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, said that while Tehran remains open to negotiations, it will not accept what he described as the “imposition” of peace terms.
The escalating tensions continue to disrupt global markets, largely due to the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz. News of a potential proposal briefly triggered a five percent drop in oil prices, although prices remain roughly 50 percent higher than pre-war levels. Iran maintains a tight grip on the strait, significantly restricting the global flow of oil, gas, and fertiliser, while the United States has imposed a counter-blockade on Iranian ports.
At a recent rally, Trump also referenced a U.S. helicopter raid on an oil tanker accused of attempting to bypass the blockade, describing the operation as the United States acting “like pirates” in enforcing maritime restrictions.
