Senior Iranian Officer Warns War With US ‘Likely’ After Trump Rejects Peace Proposal

President Donald Trump’s rejection of Iran’s latest peace proposal has pushed the fragile ceasefire toward collapse, with a senior Iranian military officer warning that a new war with the United States is “likely.” Tehran’s 14-point plan, delivered through mediator Pakistan, called for ending hostilities on all fronts, lifting sanctions, releasing frozen assets, and establishing new controls over the vital Strait of Hormuz. Trump, however, dismissed the offer on his Truth Social platform, saying Iran “has not yet paid a big enough price” for its actions over the past 47 years.

Despite the war between the US-Israel coalition and Iran being on hold since early April, the diplomatic stalemate deepens. Trump expressed skepticism about the proposal’s prospects and refused to specify what might trigger renewed military action, only saying, “If they misbehave, if they do something bad... it’s a possibility that could happen, certainly.” This vague threat underscores the administration’s readiness to escalate conflict rather than pursue a stable resolution.

Iranian media reported the proposal included US troop withdrawals from areas near Iran, ending the blockade, and compensation payments—demands that Trump and his team found unacceptable. The US Central Command chief, Adm. Brad Cooper, has arrived in the region to meet troops aboard the USS Tripoli, signaling preparations for potential military escalation.

Mohammad Jafar Asadi, a senior figure in Iran’s military central command, told Fars news agency that “evidence has shown that the United States is not committed to any promises or agreements,” and that renewed conflict is imminent unless Washington changes course. Tehran insists it is prepared for either diplomacy or confrontation, placing the “ball in the United States’ court.”

Meanwhile, Israel, a key partner in the conflict, remains excluded from talks and is reportedly preparing for a breakdown in negotiations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to convene his security cabinet to discuss contingency plans, highlighting the regional stakes.

Trump’s belligerent rhetoric extends to the US Navy’s blockade of Iranian ports, which he boasted about as a “very profitable business” and likened to “pirates.” The Pentagon estimates the blockade has cost Iran $4.8 billion in oil revenue, further squeezing Tehran’s economy and inflaming tensions.

This latest episode reveals the Trump administration’s pattern of using military threats and economic warfare to exert maximum pressure on Iran, while dismissing diplomatic overtures that could deescalate conflict. As both sides harden their positions, the risk of a devastating new war in the Middle East looms large, driven by Trump’s refusal to engage in genuine negotiation and his preference for confrontation.