President Donald Trump said May 10 that he plans to reject Iran’s response to the latest U.S.-backed proposal aimed at ending the war, calling Tehran’s demands “totally unacceptable.”
As Zeale News previously reported, U.S. officials and sources briefed on the talks said the U.S. and Iran were allegedly “closing in” on a one-page memorandum of understanding, being negotiated by U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner alongside Iranian officials. Trump confirmed May 6 that his most recent talks with Iran were “very good.”
>> US, Iran reportedly near preliminary deal to end war <<
In a May 10 phone interview with Axios, Trump said he was dissatisfied with Iran’s response after the U.S. waited 10 days for Tehran to reply to a draft agreement intended to extend a fragile ceasefire and launch further negotiations.
“I don’t like their letter. It’s inappropriate. I don’t like their response,” Trump told Axios, declining to provide additional details.
Shortly afterward, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Iran’s response was “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!”
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 10, 2026
Iranian state media said Tehran’s proposal focused first on ending the war and securing guarantees that fighting would not resume. Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that Iran’s response called for an end to the fighting and the removal of U.S. sanctions.
Tasnim said Iran also wants the U.S. to ease restrictions on Iranian oil sales during a proposed 30-day negotiation period and end the American naval blockade. The report added that Iran is seeking greater control over the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. agrees to certain commitments, though those conditions were not explained.
Trump told Axios that he also spoke May 10 with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the Iranian response and other issues.
“It was a very nice call. We have a good relationship,” Trump said, while adding that the Iran negotiations are “my situation, not everybody else’s.”
Trump did not say whether the U.S. would continue negotiations or consider military action. Sen. Lindsey Graham urged a tougher response in a post on X, saying it may be “time to consider changing course” after what he called Iran’s unacceptable response to the U.S. proposal.
I appreciate President Trump’s earnest efforts to seek a diplomatic solution to change the behavior of the Iranian terrorist regime. However, between their constant attacks on international shipping, the persistent attacks on our Middle Eastern allies and now a totally… https://t.co/bWC5juxzly
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) May 10, 2026