U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Talks Near Collapse as Tehran Sets Five Preconditions, Trump Calls Response "Totally Unacceptable"

On May 10, 2026, Iran formally rejected the latest U.S. ceasefire proposal through Pakistani mediators and submitted a counter-offer demanding Washington rescind all sanctions on Iranian oil exports within 30 days. Iran's 14-point plan spanned three phases and included a 30-day window to transform a temporary truce into a comprehensive cessation of hostilities. President Donald Trump immediately responded on social media, calling Iran's reply "totally unacceptable" and accusing Tehran of decades of delay and deception. By May 12, Iran disclosed five preconditions for the next round of negotiations, including ending the war on all fronts, particularly in Lebanon, lifting sanctions on Iran, releasing frozen Iranian funds, paying compensation for war damages, and recognizing Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

Deputy Foreign Minister Gharibabadi stated that U.S. coercive policy cannot bring peace, emphasizing that Iran's principles are to permanently end the war and prevent its recurrence, secure reparations, lift the blockade and illegal sanctions, and ensure respect for Iran's rights. Simultaneously, U.S. Central Command disclosed that it maintains more than 20 warships deployed in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea, including two Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers and one Ticonderoga-class cruiser positioned at both choke points of the Strait of Hormuz, with 61 commercial vessels forced to detour around the Cape of Good Hope.

On May 13, the U.S. Secretary of Defense confirmed that despite ongoing exchanges of fire, the ceasefire agreement remained in effect. Earlier, on May 3, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security cabinet meeting to address the situations in Iran and Gaza, with the Israel Defense Forces receiving substantial military equipment in preparation for renewed hostilities and the government imposing a gag order on cabinet ministers to tighten operational discipline.