President Donald Trump cast doubt on the prospects for a Middle East peace agreement on Saturday, stating that Iran has "not yet paid a big enough price" following submission of a fresh diplomatic proposal. Iran submitted a 14-point peace plan to Pakistani officials who are mediating negotiations, according to reporting by Iran's semi-official Fars news outlet. A senior Iranian official countered that responsibility for the next move rests with the United States.
Speaking to reporters as he prepared to board Air Force One on Saturday, Trump indicated he would soon review the proposal's language. In a subsequent social media post, he elaborated on his position, stating he could not envision the plan being acceptable "in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years." His reference to the 47-year timeframe aligns with the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which brought the current clerical regime to power in Tehran.
Trump's remarks signal continued wariness despite his decision last month to indefinitely extend a ceasefire with Iran. Even as he prolonged the pause in hostilities, the president has maintained that military options against Tehran remain viable. The tension between the extended ceasefire and Trump's skeptical framing of the new Iranian proposal underscores the fragile state of ongoing diplomatic efforts in the region.
