U.S. Remains Cold to Iran Peace Proposal as Regional Casualties Rise

The Trump administration signaled continued skepticism on April 28 toward a new Iranian diplomatic proposal aimed at ending the current conflict. The framework, delivered via Pakistani intermediaries, suggests reopening the Strait of Hormuz and lifting the U.S. blockade in exchange for postponing broader nuclear negotiations. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the proposal is under review but emphasized that U.S. demands regarding freedom of navigation and the removal of highly enriched uranium remain unchanged. On the diplomatic front, Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed the offer during an April 27 interview, characterizing it as a tactic for the Iranian regime to "buy time." While Iran seeks a sequence where hostilities end before security guarantees are established, U.S. officials maintain that prevention of a nuclear-armed Iran is the central requirement for any lasting settlement. The human cost of the conflict continues to mount, with Iranian state media reporting over 3,300 deaths in Iran and more than 2,500 in Lebanon. Recorded casualties include 13 U.S. service members, 16 Israeli soldiers, and 6 U.N. peacekeepers. Meanwhile, the IRGC claims to have recovered 15 unexploded U.S. missiles near Bandar Abbas, stating they intend to reverse-engineer the technology at domestic research centers.