Iran's 14-point proposal was rejected, prompting Trump to launch escort operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
2026-05-04 08:37:03
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated on May 3 that the United States, through mediator Pakistan, had submitted a formal response to Iran's 14-point proposal, which Tehran is currently reviewing. Baghaei explicitly emphasized that there are currently no negotiations between the US and Iran regarding the nuclear issue, and that Iran's proposed solution to end the war does not involve the nuclear issue.
Baghaei's statement was a response to remarks made by US President Donald Trump the previous day. On May 2, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had not yet reviewed the specific wording of Iran's peace proposal in detail, but "could not imagine" it would be accepted, arguing that Iran "has not paid a sufficient price for what it has done to humanity and the world over the past 47 years." On the evening of May 3, in an interview with Israeli media, Trump reiterated that Iran's new proposal was "unacceptable," indicating that the US position remained unchanged.
According to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, Tehran recently submitted a 14-point proposal to the United States focusing on the core objective of "ending the war." Key points include: ensuring no further military aggression, the complete withdrawal of US troops from the region surrounding Iran, lifting the maritime blockade, unfreezing Iran's frozen overseas assets, US compensation payments, lifting all sanctions, achieving peace on all fronts, including Lebanon, and establishing a new control mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal also sets a one-month timeframe, requiring the resolution of key issues within 30 days, rather than the two-month ceasefire period proposed by the US.
Iran has intentionally scheduled nuclear negotiations for the later stages of the talks, attempting to resolve the war and shipping impasse first and create a favorable atmosphere for subsequent complex issues. However, this negotiation approach fundamentally conflicts with the core demands of the United States. The US has previously proposed a nine-point plan, insisting that the nuclear issue must be addressed in the early stages of negotiations, and that Iran must accept strict restrictions on its nuclear program until the war ends.
US President Trump has recently elaborated on his position on the Iranian nuclear issue on multiple occasions. In late April, he stated that he was "not in a hurry" to reach an agreement with Iran, nor did he want to rush into signing one due to time pressure. His goal was to reach a "permanent" and effective agreement that would ensure Iran would never have the opportunity to acquire nuclear weapons. Trump emphasized that his continued naval blockade of Iran was his core negotiating leverage, and that if Iran continued to refuse to compromise, he would consider military action.
This statement fundamentally contradicts Iran's strategy of seeking to end the war and resolve the shipping dispute before discussing the nuclear issue, becoming the core sticking point in the current deadlock in negotiations between the US and Iran. On April 27, the White House press secretary confirmed that Trump had discussed the Iranian proposal with his national security team, but the president expressed dissatisfaction with the plan, believing it did not address the core issue of Iran's nuclear program.
Since Iran began blocking the Strait of Hormuz more than two months ago, the global oil supply landscape has experienced dramatic turmoil. Data shows that this event has cut off approximately 20% of global oil and gas supplies, causing international oil prices to rise by more than 50% since the blockade began, currently hovering around $100 per barrel. Several authoritative international financial institutions have issued serious warnings: JPMorgan Chase, in a research report, pointed out that if the supply flow through the Strait of Hormuz continues to be disrupted until mid-May, oil prices risk exceeding $150 per barrel; Citigroup analysts predict that if the disruption to navigation continues for another month, international oil prices could further rise to $110 per barrel.
The World Bank believes that even if the worst supply disruptions in the Middle East begin to ease in May, global energy prices could still rise by 24% in 2026, reaching a new high since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Rising oil prices have directly pushed up gasoline prices in the United States, adding uncertainty to the upcoming midterm elections in November. Trump's Republican Party faces the risk of a voter backlash due to rising prices, adding urgency to the White House to break the deadlock.
In response to the ongoing impact of the Straits blockade, US President Trump announced on May 3 that the United States would launch a special mission called "Operation Freedom" on the morning of May 4, Middle East time, aimed at rescuing ships from various countries stranded in the Strait of Hormuz .
Trump described the move as a "humanitarian gesture" on Truth Social, aimed solely at helping neutral countries not involved in the US-Iran conflict to guide their ships safely out of restricted waters. He emphasized in the same post: "For the interests of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these countries that we will guide their ships safely out of these restricted waters so that they can continue their business activities freely and smoothly."
Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command released detailed troop deployment plans for Operation Freedom of the Sea. General Brad Cooper, Commander of Central Command, stated that the U.S. military will conduct this defensive mission while maintaining a maritime blockade to ensure regional security and global economic stability. Previously, the U.S. State Department and Department of Defense had jointly launched new initiatives to strengthen coordination with international partners, with the "Freedom of the Sea" concept playing a key role in this operation.
The U.S. military deployment will include guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land-based and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and approximately 15,000 personnel to ensure the safe passage of ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz through this critical waterway for global energy transport.
It is noteworthy that although Trump announced the escort operation on Truth Social, he used relatively cautious wording when asked about the possibility of resuming strikes against Iran. He responded, "If they misbehave, if they do bad things, we'll see for now. But that is certainly a possibility."
Four weeks ago, the United States and Israel suspended airstrikes against Iran, and US and Iranian officials held a round of talks, but subsequent attempts to arrange further meetings have all failed. This time, Iran, through Pakistan, submitted a new 14-point proposal in an attempt to break the deadlock, but Trump's tough stance indicates that irreconcilable differences remain between the two sides.
Gulf state media, citing sources, reported that Iran has made some adjustments to details, such as proposing to limit uranium enrichment to 3.5% and gradually reduce its existing stockpile of enriched uranium, while also offering to gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the US lifting its maritime blockade. However, Trump's fundamental stance remains unchanged—no agreement between the US and Iran is likely unless Iran explicitly commits to completely abandoning its nuclear weapons program.
Iran is currently reviewing the US's formal response, but given the fundamental differences between the two sides on the negotiation path and the US military intervention in the Strait of Hormuz, the prospects for reaching an agreement in the short term remain bleak. Trump's statement in an interview on the evening of May 3rd that "Iran's new proposal is unacceptable" further narrowed the negotiation window and made the direction of the regional situation even more unpredictable.
The fundamental differences between the US and Iran regarding their choice of negotiation path constitute the core contradiction of the current stalemate—Iran insists on postponing the complex nuclear issue in exchange for an end to the war, while the Trump administration regards it as an insurmountable precondition. The Strait of Hormuz has been blocked for over two months, causing global oil prices to rise by more than 50%, having a substantial impact on the energy market and the upcoming US midterm elections. While Trump's "Operation Freedom," launched under the guise of humanitarian aid, involves the deployment of up to 15,000 troops and missile destroyers, it is essentially a strategic move by the US to maintain military deterrence while attempting to alleviate the crisis in the Strait through limited escort, rather than a signal of a diplomatic breakthrough.
Question 1: What are the core claims of Iran's 14-point proposal? Why was it rejected by Trump?
Iran's 14-point proposal's core objective was to "end the war," and included the withdrawal of US troops from the region surrounding Iran, lifting the maritime blockade, unfreezing Iranian assets, paying reparations, lifting sanctions, and establishing a new control mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz. The nuclear issue was intentionally placed in the later stages of negotiations. Trump's rejection stemmed from the irreconcilable differences in the two sides' negotiating approaches: Iran advocated resolving the war and shipping disputes before discussing the nuclear issue, but Trump insisted that the nuclear issue must be addressed in the early stages of negotiations, explicitly stating that no agreement could be reached unless Iran completely abandoned its nuclear weapons program. The White House believed that the proposal failed to address the core issue of the nuclear program, becoming the key sticking point in the deadlock between the two sides.
Question 2: How much impact has the continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz had on the global energy market?
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for a quarter of the world's maritime oil trade, has cut off approximately 20% of global oil and gas supplies. Since the blockade began, international oil prices have risen by more than 50%, reaching around $100 per barrel. JPMorgan Chase warns that if the supply disruption continues until mid-May, oil prices could exceed $150 per barrel; Citigroup predicts that if the blockade continues for another month, prices could rise further to $110 per barrel. The World Bank further predicts that even if the situation begins to ease in May, global energy prices could still rise by 24% by 2026.
Question 3: What specific military deployments are included in the "Operation Freedom of the Sea" announced by the United States? Does it contradict the naval blockade?
The operation, launched on May 4, involved missile destroyers, over 100 land-based and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and approximately 15,000 personnel. The Central Command emphasized that this defensive mission would be carried out while maintaining the maritime blockade. While nominally positioned to assist neutral vessels in their safe departure, this large-scale deployment is essentially aimed at maintaining strategic pressure on Iran and alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the Strait through limited escort, rather than a prelude to a complete lifting of the blockade.
Question 4: What pressure did the US midterm elections in November put on Trump's Middle East policy?
Rising oil prices have directly driven up gasoline prices in the United States, and Republicans face the risk of a voter backlash due to rising prices in the November midterm elections. While Trump claims he is "in no hurry to reach an agreement," the longer the Strait of Hormuz blockade continues, the greater the pressure on energy markets and voter sentiment will be, adding to the urgency for the White House to break the deadlock.
Question 5: The US-Israeli airstrikes against Iran have been suspended for four weeks. Why have negotiations failed to make progress since then?
The two sides reached a substantial temporary ceasefire in early April through Pakistani mediation, but the US insisted that the nuclear issue must be prioritized for negotiation, while Iran demanded that the US lift the naval blockade first. Since then, both sides have been undecided: Trump has used the continued blockade as a major bargaining chip while simultaneously launching "Operation Freedom of Navigation" to attempt a limited easing of the Strait crisis. Because the fundamental differences in the negotiation path remain unresolved, arrangements for further meetings have yet to materialize.
Baghaei's statement was a response to remarks made by US President Donald Trump the previous day. On May 2, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had not yet reviewed the specific wording of Iran's peace proposal in detail, but "could not imagine" it would be accepted, arguing that Iran "has not paid a sufficient price for what it has done to humanity and the world over the past 47 years." On the evening of May 3, in an interview with Israeli media, Trump reiterated that Iran's new proposal was "unacceptable," indicating that the US position remained unchanged.
The core demands of Iran's 14-point proposal have been revealed.
According to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, Tehran recently submitted a 14-point proposal to the United States focusing on the core objective of "ending the war." Key points include: ensuring no further military aggression, the complete withdrawal of US troops from the region surrounding Iran, lifting the maritime blockade, unfreezing Iran's frozen overseas assets, US compensation payments, lifting all sanctions, achieving peace on all fronts, including Lebanon, and establishing a new control mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal also sets a one-month timeframe, requiring the resolution of key issues within 30 days, rather than the two-month ceasefire period proposed by the US.
Iran has intentionally scheduled nuclear negotiations for the later stages of the talks, attempting to resolve the war and shipping impasse first and create a favorable atmosphere for subsequent complex issues. However, this negotiation approach fundamentally conflicts with the core demands of the United States. The US has previously proposed a nine-point plan, insisting that the nuclear issue must be addressed in the early stages of negotiations, and that Iran must accept strict restrictions on its nuclear program until the war ends.
Trump insists on prioritizing nuclear negotiations
US President Trump has recently elaborated on his position on the Iranian nuclear issue on multiple occasions. In late April, he stated that he was "not in a hurry" to reach an agreement with Iran, nor did he want to rush into signing one due to time pressure. His goal was to reach a "permanent" and effective agreement that would ensure Iran would never have the opportunity to acquire nuclear weapons. Trump emphasized that his continued naval blockade of Iran was his core negotiating leverage, and that if Iran continued to refuse to compromise, he would consider military action.
This statement fundamentally contradicts Iran's strategy of seeking to end the war and resolve the shipping dispute before discussing the nuclear issue, becoming the core sticking point in the current deadlock in negotiations between the US and Iran. On April 27, the White House press secretary confirmed that Trump had discussed the Iranian proposal with his national security team, but the president expressed dissatisfaction with the plan, believing it did not address the core issue of Iran's nuclear program.
The continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues to strain global energy markets.
Since Iran began blocking the Strait of Hormuz more than two months ago, the global oil supply landscape has experienced dramatic turmoil. Data shows that this event has cut off approximately 20% of global oil and gas supplies, causing international oil prices to rise by more than 50% since the blockade began, currently hovering around $100 per barrel. Several authoritative international financial institutions have issued serious warnings: JPMorgan Chase, in a research report, pointed out that if the supply flow through the Strait of Hormuz continues to be disrupted until mid-May, oil prices risk exceeding $150 per barrel; Citigroup analysts predict that if the disruption to navigation continues for another month, international oil prices could further rise to $110 per barrel.
The World Bank believes that even if the worst supply disruptions in the Middle East begin to ease in May, global energy prices could still rise by 24% in 2026, reaching a new high since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Rising oil prices have directly pushed up gasoline prices in the United States, adding uncertainty to the upcoming midterm elections in November. Trump's Republican Party faces the risk of a voter backlash due to rising prices, adding urgency to the White House to break the deadlock.
The United States announced "Operation Freedom" to rescue stranded ships.
In response to the ongoing impact of the Straits blockade, US President Trump announced on May 3 that the United States would launch a special mission called "Operation Freedom" on the morning of May 4, Middle East time, aimed at rescuing ships from various countries stranded in the Strait of Hormuz .
Trump described the move as a "humanitarian gesture" on Truth Social, aimed solely at helping neutral countries not involved in the US-Iran conflict to guide their ships safely out of restricted waters. He emphasized in the same post: "For the interests of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these countries that we will guide their ships safely out of these restricted waters so that they can continue their business activities freely and smoothly."
Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command released detailed troop deployment plans for Operation Freedom of the Sea. General Brad Cooper, Commander of Central Command, stated that the U.S. military will conduct this defensive mission while maintaining a maritime blockade to ensure regional security and global economic stability. Previously, the U.S. State Department and Department of Defense had jointly launched new initiatives to strengthen coordination with international partners, with the "Freedom of the Sea" concept playing a key role in this operation.
The U.S. military deployment will include guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land-based and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and approximately 15,000 personnel to ensure the safe passage of ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz through this critical waterway for global energy transport.
It is noteworthy that although Trump announced the escort operation on Truth Social, he used relatively cautious wording when asked about the possibility of resuming strikes against Iran. He responded, "If they misbehave, if they do bad things, we'll see for now. But that is certainly a possibility."
The prospects for continued strategic negotiations remain unclear.
Four weeks ago, the United States and Israel suspended airstrikes against Iran, and US and Iranian officials held a round of talks, but subsequent attempts to arrange further meetings have all failed. This time, Iran, through Pakistan, submitted a new 14-point proposal in an attempt to break the deadlock, but Trump's tough stance indicates that irreconcilable differences remain between the two sides.
Gulf state media, citing sources, reported that Iran has made some adjustments to details, such as proposing to limit uranium enrichment to 3.5% and gradually reduce its existing stockpile of enriched uranium, while also offering to gradually reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the US lifting its maritime blockade. However, Trump's fundamental stance remains unchanged—no agreement between the US and Iran is likely unless Iran explicitly commits to completely abandoning its nuclear weapons program.
Iran is currently reviewing the US's formal response, but given the fundamental differences between the two sides on the negotiation path and the US military intervention in the Strait of Hormuz, the prospects for reaching an agreement in the short term remain bleak. Trump's statement in an interview on the evening of May 3rd that "Iran's new proposal is unacceptable" further narrowed the negotiation window and made the direction of the regional situation even more unpredictable.
Editor's Summary
The fundamental differences between the US and Iran regarding their choice of negotiation path constitute the core contradiction of the current stalemate—Iran insists on postponing the complex nuclear issue in exchange for an end to the war, while the Trump administration regards it as an insurmountable precondition. The Strait of Hormuz has been blocked for over two months, causing global oil prices to rise by more than 50%, having a substantial impact on the energy market and the upcoming US midterm elections. While Trump's "Operation Freedom," launched under the guise of humanitarian aid, involves the deployment of up to 15,000 troops and missile destroyers, it is essentially a strategic move by the US to maintain military deterrence while attempting to alleviate the crisis in the Strait through limited escort, rather than a signal of a diplomatic breakthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: What are the core claims of Iran's 14-point proposal? Why was it rejected by Trump?
Iran's 14-point proposal's core objective was to "end the war," and included the withdrawal of US troops from the region surrounding Iran, lifting the maritime blockade, unfreezing Iranian assets, paying reparations, lifting sanctions, and establishing a new control mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz. The nuclear issue was intentionally placed in the later stages of negotiations. Trump's rejection stemmed from the irreconcilable differences in the two sides' negotiating approaches: Iran advocated resolving the war and shipping disputes before discussing the nuclear issue, but Trump insisted that the nuclear issue must be addressed in the early stages of negotiations, explicitly stating that no agreement could be reached unless Iran completely abandoned its nuclear weapons program. The White House believed that the proposal failed to address the core issue of the nuclear program, becoming the key sticking point in the deadlock between the two sides.
Question 2: How much impact has the continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz had on the global energy market?
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for a quarter of the world's maritime oil trade, has cut off approximately 20% of global oil and gas supplies. Since the blockade began, international oil prices have risen by more than 50%, reaching around $100 per barrel. JPMorgan Chase warns that if the supply disruption continues until mid-May, oil prices could exceed $150 per barrel; Citigroup predicts that if the blockade continues for another month, prices could rise further to $110 per barrel. The World Bank further predicts that even if the situation begins to ease in May, global energy prices could still rise by 24% by 2026.
Question 3: What specific military deployments are included in the "Operation Freedom of the Sea" announced by the United States? Does it contradict the naval blockade?
The operation, launched on May 4, involved missile destroyers, over 100 land-based and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and approximately 15,000 personnel. The Central Command emphasized that this defensive mission would be carried out while maintaining the maritime blockade. While nominally positioned to assist neutral vessels in their safe departure, this large-scale deployment is essentially aimed at maintaining strategic pressure on Iran and alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the Strait through limited escort, rather than a prelude to a complete lifting of the blockade.
Question 4: What pressure did the US midterm elections in November put on Trump's Middle East policy?
Rising oil prices have directly driven up gasoline prices in the United States, and Republicans face the risk of a voter backlash due to rising prices in the November midterm elections. While Trump claims he is "in no hurry to reach an agreement," the longer the Strait of Hormuz blockade continues, the greater the pressure on energy markets and voter sentiment will be, adding to the urgency for the White House to break the deadlock.
Question 5: The US-Israeli airstrikes against Iran have been suspended for four weeks. Why have negotiations failed to make progress since then?
The two sides reached a substantial temporary ceasefire in early April through Pakistani mediation, but the US insisted that the nuclear issue must be prioritized for negotiation, while Iran demanded that the US lift the naval blockade first. Since then, both sides have been undecided: Trump has used the continued blockade as a major bargaining chip while simultaneously launching "Operation Freedom of Navigation" to attempt a limited easing of the Strait crisis. Because the fundamental differences in the negotiation path remain unresolved, arrangements for further meetings have yet to materialize.
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