Donald Trump has described Iran's response to a US peace proposal as "totally unacceptable" as the month-old ceasefire showed signs of unravelling, with drone strikes reported around the region and Israeli warnings that the war was not over.
The Iranian counter-proposal, passed via Pakistani mediators, called for the lifting of US sanctions, an end to the naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and an immediate ceasefire with guarantees against renewed attacks. The original US plan, a 14-point memorandum, sought a 20-year moratorium on nuclear enrichment, the transfer of Iran's highly enriched uranium (HEU) stockpile, and the dismantling of nuclear facilities. Iran instead proposed a shorter moratorium, partial export of the HEU and dilution of the rest, while rejecting the dismantling of sites.
Responding to the proposal, Trump said: "I have just read the response from Iran's so-called 'representatives'. I don't like it – totally unacceptable." Earlier he had accused Tehran on Truth Social of "playing games with the United States, and the rest of the World, for 47 years".
The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, warned the war was "not over" as long as enriched uranium remained in Iran. Speaking to CBS's 60 Minutes, he said the material had to be taken out and that the best way would be to enter Iran as part of an agreement, adding that Trump had told him he wants "to go in there".
In a separate interview, Trump struck a more relaxed tone, saying the stockpile, buried deep under mountains in central Iran, was under satellite surveillance. "If anybody got near the place, we will know about it – and we'll blow them up," he said. He also said US attacks on Iran could resume, noting that around 70% of targets had been struck, with "other targets that we could conceivably hit".
The development comes as Trump faces pressure to maintain the ceasefire ahead of a visit to China. The UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, estimates Iran holds 440kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity – close to weapons grade. A military spokesperson in Iran said forces were at "full readiness" to protect the stockpile, warning of possible "infiltration operations or heliborne operations" to seize it.
