Iran has formally submitted its response to the latest US peace proposal, with Pakistani mediators delivering the document on Sunday evening amid continuing
conflict across the Gulf region. The move places pressure on Washington to decide whether to continue negotiations or escalate military action, as a fragile ceasefire between the two sides remains in place without a fixed deadline. US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that American forces were closely monitoring Iran's enriched uranium stockpile and warned of possible military action if it was moved. "We'll get that at some point. We have it surveilled," Trump said in a television interview. "I did a thing called Space Force, and they are watching that. If anybody got near the place, we will know about it — and we'll blow them up," he added. A meeting of senior national security officials is expected at the White House on Monday to review Iran's response and determine the next steps.
What's the Status of the Ceasefire?
The ceasefire currently in force has no formal expiry date.
A two-week truce brokered by Pakistan was first announced on 7 and 8 April. It was later extended by Trump on 21 April on the condition that Tehran submit a formal proposal outlining its position.
Iran has now met that condition, leaving the future of the truce dependent on Washington's response.
What Has Iran Demanded in New Proposal?
According to Iran's state news agency ISNA, Tehran's counter-proposal focuses on two immediate demands: a permanent end to military operations and the restoration of maritime security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian officials have said the current negotiations are limited to ending the conflict itself, while broader disputes — including sanctions, nuclear restrictions and regional security issues — would be addressed separately at a later stage.
That sequencing has emerged as a major obstacle in the talks.
The US proposal contains a 14-point framework that would require Iran to suspend uranium enrichment for at least 12 years, surrender about 440kg of uranium enriched to 60%, and commit never to developing a nuclear weapon.
Iran has described several of the demands as "unreasonable and maximalist".
Washington, meanwhile, fears that agreeing to end the conflict before securing nuclear concessions would weaken its negotiating position.
Attacks Continue in Middle East
Military incidents continued across the region on Sunday despite the ongoing diplomatic efforts. A drone strike hit a cargo ship in Qatari territorial waters, causing a brief fire onboard. No injuries were reported and the vessel later continued to Mesaieed Port.
Qatar's foreign ministry condemned the attack as a "serious escalation".
Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani later spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, warning that using the Strait of Hormuz as "a pressure tool would only deepen the crisis".
South Korea also confirmed that one of its bulk carriers, HMM Namu, had been struck by an unidentified object near the United Arab Emirates on 4 May.
The UAE said its air defences intercepted two Iranian drones on Sunday.
According to Emirati authorities, since the conflict began on 28 February, the country has intercepted 551 ballistic missiles, 29 cruise missiles and 2,265 drones.
On Friday, a US Navy F/A-18 fighter jet struck two Iranian-flagged tankers accused of violating a naval blockade imposed on 13 April.
Pakistan, which has acted as an intermediary throughout the negotiations, said it remained in "continuous contact with Iran and the United States, day and night, to stop the war".
