President Donald Trump announced Friday that he is “not satisfied” with a new peace proposal submitted by Iran to end the ongoing conflict, warning that he would “blast them away” if current negotiations fail to produce a viable agreement. The proposal, delivered to Pakistani mediators on Thursday, marks the latest attempt to formalize a ceasefire that has been in effect since April 8, following a period of hostilities that began on February 28.
Speaking at the White House, the president confirmed that the Iranian offer contained terms he “can’t agree to.” Despite the stalled nature of the talks—which failed to produce a framework during 21 hours of meetings in Islamabad last month—Trump stated he prefers a peaceful resolution but remains prepared to resume military action. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi countered that Tehran remains open to diplomacy, contingent upon Washington abandoning what he characterized as a “threatening rhetoric” and an “expansionist approach.”
Congressional war powers and European friction
While the administration seeks a diplomatic path, the conflict has created significant friction with European allies and within the U.S. Congress. Trump informed congressional leaders on Friday that he believes the 60-day deadline imposed by the War Powers Resolution has been paused because of the ceasefire. “There has been no exchange of fire between the United States Forces and Iran since April 7, 2026,” Trump wrote, arguing that he does not require formal legislative authorization to continue his current posture. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine rejected this interpretation of the statute, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth maintained during a Thursday hearing that the military clock stops during a pause in hostilities.
Trump also publicly criticized Italy and Spain for their lack of support regarding the conflict. “I’m not satisfied with Italy nor with Spain. They think it’s okay for Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” the president told reporters, adding that anyone holding such a position is “not very smart.” The administration has reportedly considered reducing troop levels in both nations, and internal Pentagon documents cited by Reuters suggest the U.S. has even weighed suspending Spain from NATO due to its refusal to allow the use of Rota and Morón air bases for operations against Iran.
Broader administration challenges
As the administration manages the Iran file, it faces mounting pressure on other fronts. In Havana, Cuban officials and residents marked May Day with protests against new U.S. sanctions targeting government security services and alleged support for regional militant groups. Simultaneously, a monitoring group reported that a 33-year-old Cuban man died in ICE custody this week—the 18th such death this year—amidst a broader administration push for mass deportations.
Domestically, the administration moved to address economic concerns by signing an executive order on Thursday to create tax-advantaged retirement accounts for private-sector workers. The policy provides up to $1,000 in matching government funds for individuals earning $35,500 annually, or $71,000 for married couples, in an effort to provide alternatives for those without employer-sponsored 401(k) plans.
