Tehran: A high-ranking Iranian military leader stated on Saturday that a fresh US-Iran war appears probable, shortly after President Donald Trump voiced dissatisfaction with Iran’s newest negotiation offer, AFP reported.
Tehran handed over the proposal to go-between Pakistan late on Thursday, according to state media, which did not reveal its specifics.
The conflict, initiated by the United States and Israel toward the end of February, remains suspended since April 8, with a single unsuccessful negotiation session held in Pakistan afterward.
“At this moment I’m not satisfied with what they’re offering,” Trump remarked to journalists, pointing to deep divisions in Iran’s top ranks as the reason for the deadlock.
“Do we want to go and just blast the hell out of them and finish them forever — or do we want to try and make a deal?” he continued, noting he would “prefer not” to pursue the aggressive route “on a human basis.”
Early on Saturday, Mohammad Jafar Asadi, a key member of Iran’s military central command, warned via Iran’s Fars news agency that “a renewed conflict between Iran and the United States is likely.”
“Evidence has shown that the United States is not committed to any promises or agreements,” he stated.
Negotiation Limbo
Iran’s judiciary head Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei declared on Friday that Tehran has “never shied away from negotiations,” while refusing to bow to dictated peace conditions.
The White House stayed silent on the proposal’s contents, though Axios indicated US representative Steve Witkoff proposed revisions that revive discussions on Iran’s nuclear efforts.
Those adjustments reportedly demand Iran halt any transfer of enriched uranium from strike-damaged locations or restart operations there amid ongoing talks.
The proposal briefly drove oil prices down almost 5%, yet they hover roughly 50% higher than pre-conflict figures due to Iran’s persistent shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz since hostilities erupted, slashing global supplies of oil, gas and fertilizer, as the US enforces a matching blockade on Iranian harbours.
Local Tehran resident Amir shared with Paris-based AFP reporters that the deadlock “feels like we are stuck in purgatory,” voicing scant optimism for the Iranian initiative.
“This is all to waste time,” he forecasted, anticipating strikes from the United States and Israel once more.
Even with the Gulf truce holding, violence persists in Lebanon, where Israel conducts fatal raids despite a distinct ceasefire with Iran-supported Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s health ministry reported 13 deaths from southern strikes, including in Habboush following an Israeli evacuation alert.
Arms Boost For Allies
Late on Friday, Washington greenlit substantial weapons packages for Middle East partners, such as a $4 billion Patriot system sale to Qatar and close to $1 billion in precision munitions for Israel.
Legal & Economic Strains
US legislators grapple with a court battle over Trump’s failure to obtain congressional sign-off for the war by a set deadline.
Officials contend the truce interrupts the 60-day threshold mandating legislative consent — a position challenged by Democratic opponents.
Trump confronts mounting home-front strain from climbing inflation, elusive battlefield gains, and looming midterms.
“There has been no exchange of fire between United States Forces and Iran since April 7, 2026,” he informied congressional heads, asserting the fighting “have terminated.”
In Iran, war’s financial bite worsens. New US penalties target three currency exchanges, with threats to others flouting Iran’s Hormuz passage fees.
The US military claims its port blockade has blocked $6 billion in Iranian crude shipments, while pre-existing inflation has rocketed beyond 50%.
“For many people, paying rent and even buying food has become difficult, and some have nothing left at all,” 28-year-old Iranian Mahyar confided to an AFP correspondent abroad.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei advised on Friday that owners of hit enterprises “avoid, as much as possible, layoffs and separation of their workforce,” while pledging “economic and cultural jihad” to foes.
