Washington Responds to Iran's Proposal to Pakistan

SadaNews - The US administration has delivered its response to the Pakistani mediator regarding Iran's proposal to end the war, while Iran stated on Sunday that the United States must choose between an "impossible" military operation or a "bad deal" in the war, after US President Donald Trump warned that he may not accept the new settlement proposal presented by Tehran.

The spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry announced: "The Americans have presented a response to the Pakistani mediator regarding our proposal, and we are in the process of reviewing it."

Diplomatic efforts have stalled since the ceasefire took effect on April 8, following nearly 40 days of Israeli-American airstrikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliation with strikes on countries in the region. Efforts to resume negotiations faltered after a round of direct talks held in Islamabad on April 11, which did not yield results, amid ongoing fundamental disagreements, particularly regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the nuclear file.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard intelligence stated in a statement broadcasted by state television that "the margin for maneuver available to the United States in decision-making has shrunk," adding that Trump must "choose between an impossible operation or a bad deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran."

It pointed to what it described as a "change in the tone" from China, Russia, and Europe towards Washington, as well as what it termed a "deadline" set by Tehran to end the US naval blockade on Iranian ports.

For his part, the former commander of the Revolutionary Guard, Mohsen Rezaei, who was appointed in March as a military advisor to the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, stated that "the United States is the only pirate in the world that has aircraft carriers," noting that "our ability to confront pirates is no less than our ability to sink warships." He added, "Be ready to see your aircraft carriers and your forces ending up in the graveyard."

The US blockade "suffocates" the Iranian economy

The US Treasury Secretary, Scott Behnst, emphasized on Sunday that the United States is suffocating the Iranian regime with its "economic blockade" imposed alongside the military attack it launched with Israel at the end of February.

Behnst stated on Sunday in an interview with "Fox News" that President Donald Trump "ordered in March for maximum pressure (on Iran), and three weeks ago, he ordered the Treasury Department and me personally to commence the (operation) of economic fury."

This measure is intended to be the economic counterpart to the attack dubbed "Epic Fury," which was launched on February 28. A ceasefire has been in effect since April 8.

Behnst said, "We are in the process of suffocating the regime; they are no longer able to pay their soldiers' salaries."

He continued, "It is a real economic blockade," emphasizing that the US Navy plays a pivotal role by preventing ships from sailing to and from Iran.

The minister stressed that "no ship should pass."

"CENTCOM": Interception of 49 Ships

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Sunday via X platform that the total number of intercepted ships is 49.

Behnst pointed out that the United States "intensified pressure on any party sending money to Iran to support" the Revolutionary Guard, which he described as a "corrupt entity."

He added, "They have been plundering the Iranian people for years. They have funds abroad, and we have identified their locations."

He further stated, "We will continue to track this money, and we will hold these assets for the benefit of the Iranian people at the end of this conflict."

Behnst had mentioned on Saturday that this economic blockade will remain in place "until the freedom of navigation returns to what it was before February 27," referring to Tehran's ban on non-allied ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz, which is critically important for transporting oil from Gulf countries to various parts of the world.

The Iranian measure forced the United States to take retaliatory measures, disrupting the passage of Iranian and pro-Iranian ships.

For his part, Kevin Hassett, Trump's economic advisor, said in an interview with CBS that the Iranian economy stands on the brink of "extreme catastrophe due to hyperinflation."

He pointed out that Iranians "have started suffering from hunger."

"The Right Price"

The US president announced on Saturday that he would review the new Iranian proposal for peace negotiations, but he added in a post on his platform "Truth Social": "I do not envision that it will be acceptable, as they have yet to pay the right price for what they have committed against humanity and the world over the past 47 years."

This statement follows reports from the Iranian news agencies "Tasnim" and "Fars" that Tehran submitted a 14-point proposal through Pakistan.

Tasnim mentioned that the proposal included ending the war on all fronts within 30 days and setting a new framework for the Strait of Hormuz.

The proposal did not address the nuclear file, which is a core issue for the United States and Israel, which accuse Iran of seeking to acquire a nuclear bomb, a charge that Tehran denies.

According to Tasnim, Tehran demanded the withdrawal of US forces from the region, lifting the blockade on Iranian ports, removing all primary and secondary sanctions, paying the necessary compensations to Iran for the damages incurred, and ceasing the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

Despite reaching a ceasefire on this front, Israel continues to carry out attacks, particularly on southern Lebanon, and extensive demolition and bombing operations in border towns, where it announced the establishment of a "yellow line" separating dozens of villages from the rest of Lebanese territory.

In response, Hezbollah targets northern Israel and its affiliated forces deployed in southern Lebanon.

Double Blockade

The war has resulted in thousands of deaths in Iran and the martyrdom of thousands in Lebanon, and its repercussions continue to shake the global economy, with oil prices reaching levels not seen since 2022.

Despite the halt of bombing and airstrikes, the conflict continues in other forms, as Washington imposes a blockade on Iranian ports in response to Tehran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which before the war, one-fifth of the world's oil and large quantities of liquefied gas passed.

In response to reporters' questions on Saturday evening, Trump refused to specify what might lead to new military operations against Iran.

He said, "If they misbehave, if they do something bad, but for now we will see," adding, "but it is certainly a possibility that can happen."

Theoretically, the US president had until Friday to request a mandate from Congress to continue the war. However, he preferred to send a message to congressional leaders informing them of the cessation of hostilities against Iran, even though many Democratic lawmakers considered that the continued deployment of forces in the region indicates the opposite.

The war Trump initiated against Iran does not enjoy wide public support, especially considering the rise in fuel prices resulting from it.

With midterm elections approaching in six months, the outlook appears bleak for the Republicans, as polls indicate that public dissatisfaction with Trump has reached its highest levels.

In Iran, the judiciary announced on Sunday the execution of a man convicted of participating in the murder of a volunteer security officer during the protests of 2022-2023 sparked by the death of the young woman Mahsa Amini while in custody by the morality police, on suspicion of not adhering to the dress code.

The sentence was carried out the day after the execution of two men accused of spying for Israel.