A senior Iranian military official warned on Saturday, May 2, that renewed fighting with the United States remains “likely,” coming shortly after Donald Trump criticized Iran’s latest negotiating proposal. Tehran had submitted a revised draft to Pakistan, which is serving as a mediator, on Thursday evening.
Although the full details have not been made public, reports indicate that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff responded with changes that would bring Iran’s nuclear program back into focus during the talks. These proposals are said to include strict conditions requiring Iran to stop relocating enriched uranium from bomb-damaged facilities and to suspend all activity at those sites while negotiations continue.
The conflict, which erupted in late February, has been under a fragile pause since April 8, though tensions remain high and rhetoric on both sides continues to escalate.
Addressing reporters, Trump blamed the lack of progress on what he described as “tremendous discord” within Iran’s leadership. He framed the situation as a choice between a comprehensive military outcome and a negotiated settlement, saying he would prefer a deal reached on “a human basis,” but warning that the alternative would be overwhelming force.
Iranian military commander Mohammad Jafar Asadi expressed skepticism about the chances of diplomacy, arguing that the United States cannot be trusted to honor agreements. Meanwhile, Iran’s judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei said the country remains open to dialogue but will not accept what it sees as imposed peace terms.
The standoff continues to unsettle global markets, largely due to tensions surrounding the strategic Strait of Hormuz. News of a possible proposal briefly pushed oil prices down by about five percent, though they remain roughly 50 percent higher than before the conflict began.
Iran continues to exert tight control over the strait, limiting the global flow of oil, gas, and fertilizer, while the United States has responded with a counter-blockade targeting Iranian ports.
At a recent rally, Trump referred to a U.S. helicopter raid on a tanker attempting to evade the blockade, remarking that American forces were acting “like pirates” in enforcing maritime restrictions.
