President Donald Trump said he will review a new plan from Iran but made clear he expects far more than words on paper after years of conflict between the two nations.
In a post shared on social media Saturday, May 2, Trump stated he could not imagine accepting the proposal because Iran “has not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years.”
The statement comes as U.S. forces remain engaged in military operations against Iranian ships amid a naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz.
Lawmakers have spent the past week questioning Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and military leaders about the costs of the campaign, including weapons use and American lives.
Trump’s message leaves little room for quick diplomacy. The post came after news that Iranian officials had sent a formal response via back channels amid growing pressure from the U.S.
The Iran-U.S. war
The current U.S.-Iran conflict started after the U.S. Forces and Israel launched strikes against Iran early this year. Those early strikes targeted nuclear and missile facilities in Tehran and other parts of the country.
Tehran responded by targeting Israeli cities and U.S. military bases in the Middle East.
This week, Hegseth faced tough questions in Congress during hearings on the 2027 defense budget.
Democrats pressed him on whether the war had a clear end goal and enough congressional approval.
Republicans largely backed the need to confront Iran to protect U.S. interests and allies in the region.
One lawmaker asked Hegseth directly about reports of strained weapons stockpiles.
Hegseth replied that the administration was requesting record funding to rebuild stockpiles and add new systems such as drones and missile defenses.
At least 13 U.S. service members have been killed since operations started on February 28. Iranian officials report hundreds of deaths among their forces and civilians.
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Inside Iran, protests against the ruling government have continued for months. Some Iranian exiles and opposition voices have urged the U.S. to keep pressure on the regime rather than reach any early agreement. Some caution that further strikes could strengthen hardliners in Tehran.
Trump’s comments mirror his first-term approach of maximum pressure on Iran. During that period, he ordered the killing of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani and pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 nuclear deal.
After launching the Epic Fury operation, Trump said that Iran suffered a massive blow, which will require it at least 20 years to get back to where it was before the operation.
However, most of the Democrats and a significant number of Republicans say the campaign risks the U.S. getting dragged into another long Middle East war with unclear benefits for American taxpayers.
On the other hand, his allies say that allowing Tehran to rebuild its strength would invite worse threats later, including to Israel and Gulf oil routes.
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Hegseth has told lawmakers the administration will not accept a return to the old status quo. “We are focused on real deterrence,” he said in one hearing.
Officials familiar with the process say it includes offers on nuclear limits and regional behavior, but they declined to say more while Trump reviews it.
The next steps remain uncertain as Trump has not set a public deadline, but his language suggests any deal must include major concessions and possibly compensation for past attacks linked to Tehran.
Hegseth is expected to return to Capitol Hill next week for more questions. Lawmakers from both parties say they want clearer answers on strategy before approving additional funds.
