President Donald Trump and his national security team have expressed dissatisfaction and skepticism towards Iran’s latest proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to several U.S. officials.
According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), during a meeting with aides, President Trump remarked that Iran is not dealing in good faith.
Additionally, officials who spoke with WSJ said that, despite not explicitly rejecting the proposal, President Trump was not satisfied with the Islamic Republic’s inability to vow an end to nuclear enrichment or to the development of a nuclear weapon.
Iran's Three-Stage Proposal
Previous reports from WSJ reveal that during a tour across the Middle East and Pakistan, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented the proposition.
The latest offer proposes a three-stage peace deal, which would first require the U.S. and Israel to end the war against the Islamic Republic, while promising not to “start it up again.”
Officials familiar with the matter stated that stage two of the proposal would involve reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, with the Islamic Republic seeking to maintain control over the waterway.
Iranian officials affirm that once both stages are complete, only then will talks on its nuclear program and issues related to militant proxies funded across the Middle East be held.
Assurances From U.S. Officials
U.S. officials assured that the U.S. will continue to negotiate with Iran, with responses and counterproposals from the White House being offered in the coming days.
“The United States will not negotiate through the press, and anything not announced by President Trump or the White House should be considered speculation,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly additionally confirmed.
UAE Withdraws From OPEC
Amid the stalemate, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced that it will leave the 12-member Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and OPEC+, which includes 10 non-member allies such as Russia.
According to The Associated Press (AP), the UAE’s withdrawal won’t have immediate impacts of markets due to supplies already being constrained by the Iran War.
Reports also indicate that given the U.S.’s increased production of its own crude, OPEC’s market power had already been declining.
