Iran has rejected a 45-day ceasefire proposal presented by a mediating country and countered with a comprehensive peace plan containing 10 conditions. U.S. President Donald Trump called the counterproposal "not enough, but important progress," while unleashing a barrage of hawkish remarks toward Tehran.
Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported on the 6th that "the Iranian government reaffirmed its position that a 'temporary ceasefire' is absolutely unacceptable based on past experience" and that "it has delivered a 10-point response to mediating country Pakistan." The key demands include: ▲a complete halt to military conflict in the region, ▲establishment of a new protocol for safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, ▲post-war reconstruction assistance, and ▲lifting of economic sanctions against Iran. Iran stressed that a "complete and permanent end to the war" reflecting these demands must be achieved.
In response, Trump said at an Easter event at the White House that day, "I saw Iran's counterproposal" and called it "not enough, but important progress," the Wall Street Journal reported.
However, Trump's remarks that day were laden with hardline rhetoric toward Iran. "We will absolutely not allow Iran to have nuclear weapons. If we have to pay a little more for oil for a few months, we will do that, but we will absolutely not tolerate Iran possessing nuclear weapons," he emphasized.
Regarding the Iranian people, Trump said, "They are upset because they don't hear the sound of bombs," adding, "They want to hear the sound of bombs because they want freedom. The only reason they don't take to the streets is because they were warned that if they protest, they will be shot immediately." According to Fox News, Trump also claimed, "If the Iranian people got weapons, they would topple the government within two days." He said, "We sent weapons to the Kurds and asked them to arm the Iranian people, but the Kurds kept the weapons." Trump answered "yes" when asked whether the 8 p.m. deadline on the 7th — the previously announced time for commencing strikes on infrastructure including power plants — was the final deadline.
Earlier, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), one of Trump's closest allies, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that "a diplomatic end to the war is the most desirable outcome," while warning that "Iran is an evil regime that has used deception every time." He added, "Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the scenario that must not be allowed is Iran seizing control of the strait and holding the entire world hostage," and stressed, "When this is concluded — whether through diplomacy or military action — it must be clear that control of the strait does not rest with Iran."
Graham also said, "Not a single ounce of highly enriched uranium should exist inside Iran," adding, "During the presidency of the 43rd president, Bush, the United States was able to enter Libya, dismantle its nuclear facilities and enrichment capabilities, and remove all enriched uranium. Iran must follow this model."