The truce with Iran is “on the brink of survival” after the Iranian authorities sent an “unacceptable” response to US peace proposals. This was announced at the White House on 11 May by US President Donald Trump.
He spoke to reporters ahead of his visit to China, during which, as Trump himself confirmed, the sides will discuss the situation in the Middle East. Iran’s response received on 10 May was described by Trump as “rubbish”.
The US president called Iran’s leaders “dishonourable”, claiming that they had agreed to several conditions in advance, but in their written response they expressed quite differently. At issue, in particular, is the promise to hand over stocks of enriched uranium.
Trump also criticised the Iraqi Kurds, whose armed units have been named among possible US allies in the event of a ground operation against Iran. “They fight hard when they get paid. I’m very disappointed in the Kurds,” Trump said, also claiming that the United States had sent arms and ammunition for the Iranian insurgency but the Kurds allegedly kept them.
Iran’s response to the US was reported on 10 May, the same day evening Trump called it unacceptable. Tehran is reportedly demanding a halt to Israeli hostilities against Hezbollah (recognised as a terrorist group in the US, operating legally in Lebanon), compensation for the destruction caused by the fighting, the lifting of the naval blockade and sanctions, and that Iran retain control of the Strait of Hormuz. The US reportedly offered to confirm a refusal to resume hostilities and unblock the waterways, and later to move on to discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme.
28 Feb The US and Israel began strikes against Iran, the aim being primarily to destroy Tehran’s nuclear programme. In early April, the parties agreed on a ceasefire, which is now in effect without any set date for its end, but the parties have not yet reached a peace agreement, and the Strait of Hormuz, important for the world energy market, remains blocked – ships pass through it very rarely, fearing Iranian attacks.
The future of peace talks after the US and Iran again failed to find common ground on the parameters of an agreement remains unclear. Trump is expected to travel to China on 13 May and meet Chinese President Xi Jinping there. Both sides of the conflict are counting on China to pressure their adversary to make concessions.
Bloomberg and other media outlets reported on 11 May that a large delegation of US businessmen, including Ilon Musk and Tim Cook, as well as other executives from major companies such as Blackrock, Boeing, Goldman Sachs and Meta, will travel with Trump to China.
Trump: truce with Iran “on the brink of survival”