The **Islamic Republic of Iran** has confirmed receipt of a **United States** response to its latest peace proposal, with **Tehran** currently reviewing the communication. The response, conveyed through **Pakistan**, comes as **US President Donald Trump** reportedly dismissed the **Iranian** plan as "unacceptable" on **Sunday**, **September 29, 2024**. The development signals ongoing, albeit strained, diplomatic exchanges amidst heightened tensions and a complex military standoff between the two nations.
Iran's Demands and US Rejection
According to **Iranian** state-linked media, including the **Tasnim news agency**, the **US** response was delivered via **Pakistan**, which has often served as an intermediary in communications between **Washington** and **Tehran**. While the **United States** has yet to formally confirm its reply, **President Trump** reportedly conveyed his disapproval of the **Iranian** proposal during an interview with **Israel's Kan News** on **Sunday**. This public rejection preceded his detailed review of the plan, as he stated on **Saturday** that he had only been briefed on "the concept of the deal" and was awaiting "the exact wording".
The **Iranian** peace initiative, described as a **14-point** plan, was presented as a counter-proposal to an earlier **US 9-point** plan that had suggested a **two-month** ceasefire. **Tehran's** comprehensive proposal outlined several key demands aimed at de-escalating the conflict and establishing a lasting peace. These included:
- The withdrawal of **US** forces from areas near **Iran's** borders.
- An immediate end to the **US** naval blockade of **Iranian** ports.
- A cessation of all hostilities, encompassing **Israel's** military offensive in **Lebanon**.
- An agreement between the **United States** and **Iran** to be reached within **30 days**.
- A shift in focus towards "ending the war" rather than merely extending the existing ceasefire.
**President Trump's** initial reaction on **Saturday** also included a strong statement posted on **Truth Social**, where he wrote: "They have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last **47 years**." Speaking to reporters in **Palm Beach, Florida**, on the same day, he indicated that renewed military strikes against targets inside **Iran** remained "a possibility" if **Tehran** were to "misbehave" or "do something bad." Despite this, he also affirmed **Washington's** commitment to the region, stating, "we're not leaving" and "we're going to do it, so nobody has to go back in **two years** or **five years**."
Congressional Scrutiny and War Powers Debate
The diplomatic back-and-forth coincides with growing domestic political pressure on the **Trump** administration regarding its military engagement in the **Middle East**. The **US War Powers Act** mandates that a president must secure Congressional approval within **60 days** of notifying lawmakers of military action, or else cease hostilities. **Friday**, **September 27, 2024**, marked the **60th day** since **President Trump** formally notified **Congress** of strikes against **Iran** on **March 2, 2024**, which had followed **US** and **Israeli** attacks by **two days**.
However, **President Trump** has argued that the conflict was "terminated" following a ceasefire that took effect on **April 8, 2024**, thereby pausing the clock on any such legislative obligation. He further claimed that the ongoing blockade of **Iranian** ports did not constitute a continuation of the conflict. This interpretation has drawn criticism from lawmakers, including members of his own **Republican** party, who express increasing frustration with what many perceive as a costly and complex war with unclear objectives.
Among the critics, **Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley** called for the administration to begin redeploying forces away from the conflict zone, asserting that Congressional approval would be necessary for any continued military action.
"I don't really want to do that," **Hawley** said. "I want to wind it down."
Similarly, **Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski**, a prominent critic of **President Trump**, voiced skepticism about the efficacy of the current operations and potential talks.
"While the administration may point to ongoing negotiations, events on the ground and the rhetoric coming out of **Tehran** tell a different story," **Murkowski** observed. "But if the **US** steps back abruptly and prematurely, we almost certainly leave their critical capabilities intact. And those are not risks that I'm willing to take. But the answer is not a blank check for another endless war."
Regional Tensions and Nuclear Ambitions
The broader context of these peace proposals and rejections involves significant regional tensions, including **Iran's** heavy restrictions on shipping in the **Strait of Hormuz**, a vital global oil route, in response
