Iran has issued Donald Trump a one-month deadline for negotiations on its proposed deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and bring an end to the war, according to a report.
The deal would also see the end of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, and the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, two sources brief on the proposal told Axios.
But negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme – the destruction of which has been one of Trump’s key goals of the war – would only take place after the initial deal is reached.
Trump said on Saturday he was reviewing a new peace proposal from Tehran, before once again escalated his threats when he said the regime “not yet paid a big enough price”.
“I will soon be reviewing the plan Iran has just sent to us but can’t imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to humanity, and the world, over the last 47 years,” he wrote on Truth Social.
The president said that there was a “possibility” he could order renewed strikes.
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Even if Donald Trump chickens out over Iran, the reckoning is coming
As Charles and Camilla decompress in Bermuda – no doubt with a nice single malt – they can enjoy the rave reviews for their highly successful trip to the United States.
However, the warm amber glow is chilled by an unwelcome reminder that not even the royal touch can cure Donald Trump of his erratic ways. No sooner had the royal couple left his company than the president was reverting to type.
First, he told chancellor Friedrich Merz he was minded to withdraw US forces from Nato bases in Germany. Then he told the world he “might restart” the war in Iran (no one thinks it’s all over, Donald) – and now he’s turned on Italy and Spain, again threatening to bring his troops home.
Sean O’Grady writes:
Even if Donald Trump chickens out over Iran, the reckoning is coming
With his royal guests waved off, the US president headed back into his war room. But, says Sean O’Grady, no more bombs need to fall on Tehran and Lebanon to tip the world into an economic slumpAlex Croft
Iran says it is reviewing US Response to 14-point proposal
Iran said on Sunday that the United States had responded to its 14-point proposal via Pakistan and that it was reviewing the response, state media reported."At this stage, we do not have nuclear negotiations," an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said, according to state media.
Merz affirms US remains central to Nato despite differences over Iran
German chancellor Friedrich Merz said the United States is central to the NATO alliance despite differences in opinion and downplayed tensions with President Donald Trump, after Washington announced a troop drawdown in Germany.
“I remain convinced that the Americans are the most important partner for us in the North Atlantic Alliance," Merz told public broadcaster ARD in an interview to be televised later on Sunday.
Asked whether US plans to reduce its troop presence in Germany had anything to do with a spat between the two leaders over Trump's strategy in Iran, Merz said, "There is no connection."
Analysis | US and Nato are essential for each other
The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley writes:
The US is essential to Europe’s defences.
US bases in Europe are also central to America’s ability to project hard power around the world. US operations in Iran may have been held back by allied reluctance to cooperate as fully as Trump wants – but that is not the only theatre where US troops do, or may, operate.
“The continued attacks on Nato allies are counterproductive, the comments hurt Americans,” wrote Republican Representative Don Bacon on X on Thursday, following Trump’s threat to cut troop levels in Germany.
“The two big airfields in Germany give us great access in three continents. We are shooting ourselves in our own feet.”
The US controls its operations in Africa from bases in Europe. It has run its operations in Libya, Iraq and Syria from Europe. It cannot deploy troops to the roiling Sahel in north Africa without these bases that are part of Nato’s infrastructure.
Up to 90,000 American troops are based in Europe. Most, around 35,000, are in Germany, which is its main logistics and medical hub – especially at the Ramstein base.
The US Navy’s Sixth Fleet is based in Naples. Close to 13,000 US personnel are based in army, navy and air force facilities there. Another 3,800 are based in Spain – a gateway for operations in Europe and beyond.
Kuwait oil production set to reach 2.6million barrels per day
Kuwait's oil production is expected to reach 2.628 million barrels per day in June, the state news agency quoted the country's oil minister as saying on Sunday.
Seven OPEC+ countries will raise oil output targets by 188,000 barrels per day in June, the third consecutive monthly increase, OPEC+ said in a statement after an online meeting on Sunday.
The output targets are largely symbolic for now, as Gulf countries have had to curtail production while the Strait of Hormuz is shut during the Iran war.
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Israeli fighter jet deal is part of £87 billion plan to boost military
As we earlier reported, Israel has finalised a deal to purchase two new fighter jet squadrons – we can now bring you more.
The deal, approved by Israel's Ministerial Committee on Procurement, is a first step in a 350 billion shekel (£87.3bn) plan to bolster Israel's military and "strengthen readiness ahead of a demanding decade for Israeli security," the defence ministry said.
Under the deal, Israel would buy a fourth F-35 squadron from Lockheed Martin and a second squadron of F-15IA fighter jets from Boeing.
Around 15 per cent of the value of the world’s F-35 fighter jets are British-made parts.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the aircraft “strengthen Israel's overwhelming air superiority”.
In December, Boeing was given an $8.6 billion contract for Israel including 25 new F-15IAs and an option for 25 more.
Baram said the next step would be to move forward with finalizing the agreements with the US government and military counterparts.
The US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28, but a ceasefire has been in place since April 8. The US Navy maintains a blockade of Iranian ports.
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Man killed by Israeli gunfire in northern Gaza strip – report
A Palestinian man was killed by Israeli forces in the Jabalia refugee camp, north of the Gaza Strip, according to Palesitnian news agency Wafa.
Named as Ahmad Ramadan al-Harsh, the man was killed by Israeli gunfire in the al-Hoja Street area.
Gaza’s health ministry say the number of Palestinians killed since a ceasefire was set to begin on 11 October has now risen to 832.
Germany focuses on shared interests after US announces troop drawdown
Germany's defense minister on Saturday appeared to take in stride a Pentagon announcement that the United States plans to pull some 5,000 troops out of Germany, saying a drawdown was expected and emphasizing the mutual benefit of the longstanding U.S. deployment in Europe.
Boris Pistorius said Europe recognized and was acting on the necessity of doing more to ensure its own security within the U.S.-led NATO military alliance that counts Germany as a key member, and said it is doing so. He suggested America, too, gains from its military deployment in the continent.
“The presence of American soldiers in Europe, and especially in Germany, is in our interest and in the interest of the U.S.,” Pistorius told the German news agency dpa.
Pistorius called the move “foreseeable,” apparently alluding to President Donald Trump’s recent threat of a drawdown in Germany.
Read more here:
Germany focuses on shared interests after US announces troop drawdown
The German defense minister has responded to the U.S. plan to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, emphasizing the mutual benefits of the U.S. military presence in EuropeAlex CroftNewerOlder
