U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Iran's latest peace proposal, citing 'fractured' leadership and expressing frustration over ongoing tensions, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz. While a ceasefire largely holds, negotiations continue, and Trump outlined stark options for the future. Meanwhile, an imprisoned Iranian Nobel laureate faced a health crisis, and a bomb explosion killed 14 Revolutionary Guard members.
U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected Iran's recent peace proposal, expressing dissatisfaction and blaming Iran's 'fractured' leadership for the impasse. While a shaky three-week ceasefire largely continues, both nations have traded accusations of violations. A major point of contention remains the Strait of Hormuz, where a U.S. Navy blockade is impacting Iran's economy, and Iran's 'chokehold' affects global oil and gas trade. Negotiations are ongoing via phone after Trump canceled envoy trips, and the President has proposed a new plan to reopen the critical passageway. Trump conveyed his frustration with Iran's leadership, describing it as 'very disjointed' and presenting the U.S. with two extreme options: 'blast the hell out of them and finish them forever' or 'try and make a deal.' Despite this, he acknowledged some progress in Iran's leadership toward unifying on a resolution. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi engaged in extensive diplomatic calls with regional and European counterparts, including Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and the EU's foreign policy chief, to discuss peace initiatives and reopening the Strait. Pakistani officials are also actively working to ease tensions. The article also reported that imprisoned Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi was urgently transferred to a hospital due to a severe health deterioration following 'systematic medical neglect.' Separately, an explosion of leftover war ordnance, including cluster bombs, killed 14 Revolutionary Guard members near Zanjan. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with thousands killed in Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and Gulf Arab states since February 28.
