Latest in Middle East war: Trump rejects peace deal as Gulf drone attacks rattle ceasefire

Donald Trump dismissed Iran’s latest response to a US-backed peace proposal as 'totally unacceptable,' stating in a Truth Social post that the terms were unsatisfactory without providing specifics. The rejection came as Iran sent its counteroffer through Pakistani mediators, with President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterating on X that his country would 'never bow down to the enemy,' framing negotiations as dialogue—not surrender. In parallel, drone strikes targeted Gulf shipping routes, including a freighter near Qatar and Kuwaiti military assets, raising tensions despite ongoing ceasefire efforts. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps warned of 'a decisive and immediate response' if British and French warships—deployed to secure the Strait of Hormuz—interfered with Iranian vessels. The UK and France are set to co-host a defense ministers’ meeting to coordinate regional security measures. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced the stance that the conflict with Iran remains unresolved, emphasizing that Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles and enrichment sites must be eliminated before any peace deal can be finalized. His comments followed US strikes on two Iranian tankers in the Gulf of Oman, prompting Iran’s threat to retaliate against American military sites and commercial ships in the region. Trump is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, where he is expected to 'pressure' Beijing on Iran’s role in the escalating crisis. A senior US official confirmed the discussions would focus on securing a regional ceasefire, though no details on proposed concessions were disclosed. Meanwhile, Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi was released on bail for medical treatment after 10 days in detention, marking a rare humanitarian development amid the broader conflict.