Trump casts doubt on peace deal saying Iran has not 'paid a big enough price'

Iranian news outlets have reportedly said that the country’s leadership had sent the US a new 14-point proposal via Pakistan after the United States president rejected a previous Iranian suggestion this week.

A ceasefire in the war, which began after the US and Israel launched an early-morning coordinated assault in late February, has been in effect since April 8, with one failed round of peace talks having taken place in Pakistan since. 

However, Trump has shown no sign of reaching a peace deal soon with Iran as he posted on social media about the new proposal, saying he “can’t imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to humanity, and the world, over the last 47 years.”

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Earlier, Iran’s deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi told diplomats in Tehran that “the ball is in the United States’ court to choose the path of diplomacy or the continuation of a confrontational approach”.

Gharibabadi added that Iran was “prepared for both paths”.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump suggested he could order new military action if there is no progress toward a resolution. 

“If they misbehave, if they do something bad — but right now, we'll see,” Trump said when asked whether he could order fresh strikes against the Iranian regime. 

“It's a possibility that could happen, certainly.”

A man stands in the water, appearing to fish, as bulk carriers, cargo ships, and service vessels line the horizon in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran (Razieh Poudat/AP)

Washington has repeatedly said it will not end the war in Iran without the country agreeing to a deal that would prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. 

Trump claimed that denying Iran nuclear weapons was the primary aim when the US and Israel launched their attacks on the country. Iran has claimed its nuclear program is peaceful.

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Iran’s latest 14-point proposal reportedly includes the withdrawal of US forces from areas surrounding Iran and lifting the US blockade on the Strait of Hormuz.

According to reports, Tehran is proposing to reopen the strait before nuclear issues are resolved.

Other demands include releasing Iran’s frozen assets, payment of compensation, lifting sanctions and ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, as well as a new control mechanism for the strait.