Trump Rejects Iran Peace Proposal as U.S. Weighs New Strike Options

President Donald Trump has expressed public dissatisfaction with Iran's latest peace proposal, signaling a hardening stance in the nine-week conflict. Following the rejection of a previous offer, Trump stated that the U.S. seeks a larger strategic margin to ensure Iran never obtains nuclear weapons. This diplomatic impasse comes as top U.S. military commanders briefed the President on Thursday regarding "new operational plans" for potential "short and powerful" strikes against Iranian infrastructure. In Tehran, government spokesperson Baqaei challenged the legal justification for U.S. military actions, specifically disputing the State Department's claim that operations are conducted in "self-defense." Iranian commanders have responded to the threat of new strikes by warning of "sustained, wide-ranging, and painful retaliation." Meanwhile, a legal debate continues in Washington over the 60-day War Powers Resolution; Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth maintains the deadline is paused because of the current ceasefire. The ongoing military and diplomatic standoff continues to have significant global economic repercussions. The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has caused energy market volatility to escalate, driving global costs higher as the vital shipping lane remains a focal point of the conflict. No new sanctions or specific breakthroughs in nuclear discussions were reported in the last 24 hours.