Trump Rejects Iran’s Counterproposal, Iran Vows to ‘Never Bow’
President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s counterproposal to end the 10-week war in the Middle East, calling it “totally unacceptable” in a Truth Social post. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded by saying Iran would “never bow,” framing any negotiations as not surrender. The standoff continues to choke the Strait of Hormuz, with oil prices rising Monday as U.S. West Texas Intermediate reached $100.3 per barrel. The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran proposed diluting some highly enriched uranium and transferring the rest to a third country, while rejecting U.S. demands to dismantle nuclear facilities. Tehran is also demanding an end to the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports as a condition to open the Strait of Hormuz. A Qatari LNG tanker crossed the strait on Sunday with Iran’s approval, but the incident did not ease broader market concerns. Iran continued drone attacks on Gulf neighbors over the weekend, with the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait reporting interceptions or strikes. Trump’s upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing is expected to center on the Iran war, though China’s willingness to pressure Tehran remains unclear.
What’s reported
Trump called Iran’s counterproposal “totally unacceptable” in a Truth Social post.
Iranian President Pezeshkian said Iran will “never bow” and that negotiation does not mean surrender.
Iran’s counterproposal included war reparations, full sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, an end to sanctions, and release of frozen assets.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran offered to dilute some highly enriched uranium and transfer the rest to a third country for safekeeping.
Iran has agreed to suspend enriching uranium but for a shorter period than the 20-year U.S. request.
A Qatari LNG tanker crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday with Iran’s approval for confidence-building.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate rose 4.96% to $100.3 per barrel; Brent crude rose 4.92% to $105.76.
Iran launched drone attacks over the weekend: UAE intercepted two drones, Qatar reported a cargo ship strike, Kuwait encountered hostile drones.
Iranian army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia warned of “surprising options” if adversaries make another miscalculation.
Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued “new and decisive directives” for military operations.
Trump is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing this week, with the Iran war expected to be a central topic.
Beijing hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with Chinese diplomat Wang Yi reaffirming “strategic partnership.”
Open questions
What specific “surprising options” Iran’s military may use.
The content of the “new and decisive directives” issued by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
Whether Khamenei has appeared publicly since the war began.
The outcome of the Trump-Xi summit regarding pressure on Iran.
Key figures
U.S. President Donald Trump
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi
Iranian Army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia
Ben Emons, managing director at Fed Watch Advisors
Christopher Wong, currency strategist at OCBC Bank
Sources: CNBC
