Tehran, Apr 30:
The Trump administration has indicated it is unlikely to accept Iran’s proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the lifting of US restrictions.
The Iranian offer, delivered through Pakistan, suggested postponing negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program. However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected the idea of delaying nuclear discussions, stressing that any agreement must firmly prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons capability.
The White House confirmed that President Donald Trump’s national security team has reviewed the proposal, and Trump is expected to respond later.
The proposal emerged as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Russia, a key ally of Tehran, though Moscow’s potential role in mediating or supporting the initiative remains unclear.
The wider conflict continues to escalate, with heavy casualties reported across multiple countries. At least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran, while 2,521 have died in Lebanon, where fighting between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group resumed shortly after the war began.
Additional casualties include 23 deaths in Israel, more than a dozen in Gulf Arab states, 16 Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, 13 US service members in the region, and six UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.
International concern over the conflict has grown. United Nations General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock called for urgent ceasefire efforts during a visit to New Delhi.