Trump says Iran's response to US peace proposal is 'unacceptable'

Washington/Islamabad (Web Desk/Agencies): United States (US) President Donald Trump on Sunday rejected, which had been delivered to Washington through Pakistan as part of ongoing efforts to end the escalating conflict in the Middle East, describing it as entirely unacceptable.

“I have just read the response from Iran's so-called 'Representatives.' I don't like it -- TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account, without providing any further explanation about what Tehran had conveyed.

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— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 10, 2026

In the meantime, Iran had officially submitted its long-awaited response via Pakistan amid intensified behind-the-scenes diplomatic activity suggesting renewed attempts to revive negotiations.

According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, the current diplomatic focus is mainly on halting ongoing hostilities and ensuring the situation does not spiral further in the region.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei had earlier indicated that Tehran would present its formal stance only after completing internal discussions and fully reviewing the American proposal.

Diplomatic sources confirmed that Pakistan received Iran’s communication through established diplomatic channels and has already passed on the relevant information to other key parties engaged in mediation efforts.

Pakistan has maintained a quiet but influential role in facilitating communication between Tehran and Washington since it helped secure a ceasefire on April 8, which ended nearly 40 days of armed confrontation involving the United States and Israel against Iran.

Although subsequent talks held in Islamabad did not result in any formal agreement, diplomatic engagement did not stop entirely, with backchannel discussions continuing involving various regional and international stakeholders.

Earlier reports from US media indicated that Washington had shared a brief, one-page memorandum proposing a broad structure for future negotiations.

That proposal reportedly emphasized immediate steps aimed at de-escalation while postponing more complex political and security issues for later consideration.

Islamabad had previously expressed hope that a mutual understanding between Tehran and Washington could be reached “sooner rather than later,” even as it continued its behind-the-scenes mediation efforts.

Alongside Pakistan, regional actors including Qatar and Saudi Arabia have also played a supportive role in reinforcing diplomatic initiatives.

Separately, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reaffirmed on Sunday that Iran would not alter its principled position, stressing that engagement or dialogue should not be interpreted as surrender.

“We will never bow down to the enemy, and if there is talk of dialogue or negotiation, it does not mean surrender or retreat,” he said in a post on X.

هرگز در برابر دشمن سر خم نخواهیم کرد و اگر سخنی از گفت‌وگو یا مذاکره مطرح می‌شود، معنای آن تسلیم یا عقب‌نشینی نیست. بلکه هدف، احقاق حقوق ملت ایران و دفاع مقتدرانه از منافع ملی است.

— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) May 10, 2026