Trump to review Iran proposal, warns strikes possible 

US President says Tehran has not paid enough price, as Iran’s 14-point plan seeks guarantees on the Hormuz blockade and ceasefire.

President Donald Trump has said he will “soon” review a fresh 14-point proposal from Iran, but signalled low expectations for a breakthrough, claiming Tehran has not “paid enough price” for its actions. His remarks came even as a fragile truce holds between the two sides following weeks of military strikes.

‘Decimated and confused’

Speaking to reporters in Florida, Trump said the US is “doing very well” regarding Iran. “They want to make a deal. They are having a hard time figuring out who their leader is,” he said, adding that their former Supreme Leader “is gone”. He did not elaborate on the reference to Ali Khamenei.

When asked whether strikes against Iran could restart, Trump said the possibility remains. “If they misbehave, or do something bad, strikes could happen. We’ll see for now,” he said.

What Iran’s proposal demands

According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, Tehran’s 14-point plan includes guarantees of non-aggression, an end to the US naval blockade, war reparations, and a halt to hostilities on all fronts — including in Lebanon. It also reportedly proposes a “new mechanism” for the Strait of Hormuz, where ship traffic has dropped nearly 90% in recent weeks.

US-based Axios reported that the Iranian proposal sets a one-month deadline for negotiations to reopen the Strait and end the blockade, followed by another month of talks on the nuclear programme.

No nuclear enrichment surrender

A major sticking point remains Iran’s uranium enrichment. The US has demanded Tehran halt all enrichment as part of any deal. Iran has refused, insisting the Non-Proliferation Treaty guarantees its right to enrich for peaceful purposes — energy, medicine, and industry. Weapons-grade enrichment requires 90%, while Iran’s stated civilian needs remain between 3-5%.

Economic pain on both sides

The war’s economic fallout is spreading. In Iran, prices of food, medicine, and essentials have risen sharply, according to reports from ground level. The US blockade of Iranian ports is straining supply chains. Meanwhile, US budget carrier Spirit Airlines collapsed last week, with rising fuel costs from the conflict partially blamed for its shutdown.

Syria has emerged as an alternative energy corridor. Hundreds of Iraqi oil tankers are now carrying crude by road to Syria’s Baniyas Port on the Mediterranean, from where it is shipped to Europe. Experts say the overland route is more expensive but necessary while the Strait of Hormuz remains largely blocked.

Hormuz blockade and a tanker that got through

Despite the US naval blockade, monitoring firm TankerTrackers.com reported that an Iranian Very Large Crude Carrier evaded the blockade and reached the Asia-Pacific region with over 1.9 million barrels of oil worth nearly $220 million. The vessel had switched off its Automatic Identification System since mid-March.

What next

Trump said he is waiting for the “exact wording” of Iran’s proposal. Sources familiar with the matter said the White House is unlikely to accept terms that leave Iran’s nuclear infrastructure intact. For now, the ceasefire remains tense — Israeli shelling was reported in southern Lebanon’s Tyre district as recently as Saturday morning, with seven killed in airstrikes.

Local authorities in the region have described the truce as “only on paper”. A Doctors Without Borders emergency physician in Tyre said civilians, including children, are still being bombed.

Whether the US and Iran move toward negotiations or another round of strikes may become clearer once Trump finishes his review in the coming days.