Iran submitted a formal 14-point peace proposal to the United States through Pakistani mediators late Thursday, in the most detailed diplomatic offer Tehran has put forward since the ceasefire took hold on April 8. The plan marks a significant tactical shift: for the first time, Iran has deliberately excluded its nuclear programme from the proposal, seeking instead to resolve the Strait of Hormuz closure and the US naval blockade within 30 days as a first step — leaving nuclear talks for a later stage.

President Trump acknowledged receiving the proposal on Saturday, telling reporters at Palm Beach airport: “They told me about the concept of the deal. They’re going to give me the exact wording now.” Hours later, he posted on Truth Social that Iran had “not yet paid a big enough price” and that he “can’t imagine” the proposal would be acceptable. He simultaneously warned that airstrikes could resume if Tehran “misbehaves.”

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed on Sunday that the US had already responded to the 14-point proposal and that Iran was now reviewing Washington’s counter-reply. He emphasised that the nuclear issue was “not included” in Iran’s 14 points — a deliberate omission aimed, a senior Iranian official told Reuters, at “creating a more conducive atmosphere” for a faster deal. The IRGC, however, said it remained on “full standby” for a return to hostilities, citing what it described as the US’s lack of commitment to earlier agreements.

The UK Royal Navy, in a statement on Friday, said shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz had fallen by more than 90% since the conflict began, warning of a “strangulation of international trade” and a looming humanitarian crisis for roughly 20,000 seafarers trapped on vessels in the waterway. On Sunday morning, a bulk carrier reported being attacked by multiple small craft near Sirik, Iran — the latest in at least two dozen such incidents since February 28. All crew members were reported safe.

Iran’s parliament is moving to approve a law formally restricting which vessels may pass through the strait. Iranian FM Araghchi, meanwhile, travelled to Muscat over the weekend for talks on Hormuz with Omani officials, before heading back to Islamabad for a second mediation session. He was expected to travel onward to Moscow on Monday to meet President Vladimir Putin, in what analysts described as Iran broadening its diplomatic support base as negotiations stall.

Trump, facing domestic political pressure as US gasoline prices reached $4.45 per gallon — up $1.47 since the war began — told congressional leaders on Friday that hostilities with Iran had “terminated,” addressing a 60-day deadline under the War Powers Act. Despite declaring the war over on paper, he simultaneously confirmed a Situation Room meeting for Monday with his national security team to review potential military options, including what Axios reported as a possible “short and powerful” new wave of strikes.