Trump rejects 'unacceptable' Iranian terms

ISLAMABAD:

President Donald Trump on Sunday rejected Iran's long-awaited response conveyed through Pakistan to Washington's proposals for ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, saying that he deemed it "totally unacceptable".

"I have just read the response from Iran's so-called 'Representatives.' I don't like it -- TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, without describing elements of Tehran's response.

Earlier, Iran formally conveyed its long-awaited response to Pakistan, amid a flurry of behind-the-scenes diplomatic engagements that signalled a renewed momentum for a negotiated settlement.

According to Iranian state-run IRNA, the current phase of diplomacy focuses primarily on securing a cessation of hostilities and preventing any further escalation in the region.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei had earlier said Tehran would communicate its official position once internal consultations and reviews of the US proposal were completed.

Diplomatic sources said Pakistan received Iran's response through established channels and has already shared relevant details with key interlocutors involved in the mediation effort.

Pakistan has been playing a central role in quiet diplomacy between Tehran and Washington ever since it helped broker a ceasefire on April 8, bringing an end to nearly 40 days of military confrontation involving the United States and Israel against Iran.

Although follow-up talks held in Islamabad days later failed to produce a formal breakthrough, diplomatic contacts never completely stopped. Since then, backchannel engagements have continued quietly, involving multiple regional and international stakeholders.

US media reports previously suggested that Washington had floated a brief "one-page memo" outlining a broader framework for future negotiations. The proposal reportedly focused on immediate de-escalation measures while leaving more contentious political and security issues for later stages.

Pakistan had earlier expressed optimism that an understanding between Tehran and Washington could be reached "sooner rather than later."

While Islamabad remains at the forefront of mediation efforts, regional players particularly Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have increasingly complemented Pakistan's diplomatic push.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday reaffirmed his country's uncompromising stance, saying that any dialogue or negotiations would not amount to surrender or retreat, and vowing that Tehran would "never bow to the enemy".

The long-awaited answer came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted the conflict wasn't over until Iran's enriched uranium was removed and its nuclear facilities dismantled.

"We will never bow down to the enemy, and if there is talk of dialogue or negotiation, it does not mean surrender or retreat," Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on X Sunday.

In a significant development on Sunday, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani held a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the evolving regional situation and ongoing peace efforts.

The Qatari premier's outreach came shortly after his visit to the United States, where he met Vice President JD Vance and later travelled to Miami for discussions with Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's point man for the Middle East, as well as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Diplomatic sources said the meetings focused extensively on the Iran crisis and possible pathways towards a political settlement. Interestingly, Sheikh Mohammed had also spoken to PM Shehbaz before embarking on his US trip, underlining the close coordination between Islamabad and Doha on regional diplomacy.

Separately, the Qatari leader also held a telephonic conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, adding another layer to the ongoing mediation efforts.

The intensity of these diplomatic contacts suggests growing regional consensus that the conflict can no longer be managed through military means alone and that a political solution is urgently needed to avoid wider regional destabilisation.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif later confirmed his conversation with the Qatari premier in a post on X.

"I was delighted to receive a telephone call from my brother, HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the State of Qatar, earlier today," he wrote.

"We exchanged views on the evolving regional situation and reaffirmed our shared commitment to support all ongoing efforts aimed at promoting lasting peace, stability, and constructive dialogue across the region," he added.

The PM also thanked Qatar Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani for supporting Pakistan's diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting regional peace and stability through dialogue.

Shehbaz said he was looking forward to the Amir of Qatar's expected visit to Pakistan in the near future.

Diplomatic observers believe the coming days could prove crucial in determining whether the latest round of mediation succeeds in creating enough trust between Tehran and Washington to move towards structured negotiations after weeks of intense confrontation.