Trump said the Iranian communication did not explicitly confirm that Tehran would abandon efforts to pursue nuclear weapons, arguing that this omission made the proposal unacceptable. "It is a stupid proposal that nobody could accept,” he said during the briefing, adding that previous US administrations had agreed to weaker arrangements. He referenced former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, claiming they had accepted less stringent terms, without providing documentary evidence.

The president reiterated his position that earlier US actions had significantly disrupted Iran’s nuclear programme. "We have already stopped Iran twice,” Trump said, pointing to diplomatic breakdowns and military strikes he described as targeting nuclear-related infrastructure. "We stopped the worst nuclear deal and later hit their facilities hard with precision strikes,” he added.

A senior US official, speaking on condition of attribution, told Axios that Trump is expected to convene his national security team to evaluate potential next steps after negotiations stalled. "The president is leaning toward using military pressure to force Iranian concessions on the nuclear programme,” the official said, noting that several options remain under review, including expanded maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz and limited air operations against previously identified targets.

The briefing took place under heightened security at the White House, with increased movement restrictions and visible Secret Service presence as journalists pressed officials on whether diplomatic channels with Tehran remain active. Officials declined to provide a timeline for any renewed talks.

The latest developments come amid long-standing tensions between the United States and Iran over uranium enrichment limits, sanctions relief, and regional security concerns. Shipping stakeholders in the Gulf region continue to monitor the situation closely due to potential implications for global energy routes and maritime stability.

Analysts describe the current phase as a shift toward coercive diplomacy, where military signalling is used alongside negotiation pressure. The absence of clear diplomatic progress has left the ceasefire framework unstable, with both sides maintaining hardened positions.

US officials said diplomatic and military responses remain under consideration as the administration assesses the next phase of its approach toward Iran amid continuing political and security tensions.