President Donald Trump said Saturday he was reviewing a new diplomatic proposal from Iran to end the ongoing military standoff but expressed serious doubt that the offer would meet U.S. conditions. Speaking to reporters on the tarmac before boarding Air Force One in Florida, Trump said he had been briefed on the concept of the deal and was awaiting the exact wording. Shortly after departing, he posted on Truth Social that he could not imagine the proposal would be acceptable because Iran had 'not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years.'

Iran's latest proposal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping and end the U.S. naval blockade, while deferring negotiations over Iran's nuclear program to a later stage. However, Ali Nikzad, deputy speaker of Iran's parliament, signaled Sunday that a guaranteed halt to Israeli strikes in Lebanon must precede any agreement on Hormuz, complicating the path to a deal. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran remained open to negotiations if the United States reduced what he described as excessive threats and provocative policies, while also stating that Iran's armed forces were prepared to respond to any aggression.

The standoff has been building for more than two months. Iran has blocked essentially all non-Iranian shipping from the Persian Gulf since at least mid-April, and the United States has enforced its own blockade of the Strait of Hormuz since April 13, deploying more than two carrier strike groups, over a dozen ships, and more than 100 aircraft. Last month, a U.S. Navy destroyer seized an Iranian-flagged cargo ship that attempted to breach the blockade. Trump was briefed Thursday by military officials on options in the Strait and on the ground inside Iran, and he has left open the possibility of resuming airstrikes, telling reporters Friday, '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.'

The diplomatic uncertainty is drawing sharp criticism from Democratic leaders in Congress. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the conflict an 'illegal war' and accused the administration of bypassing congressional authority. California Gov. Gavin Newsom cited estimates placing the war's cost as high as $50 billion, and Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut argued that rising gas and grocery prices would undercut any administration claims of success. Trump pushed back against congressional pressure, calling it unconstitutional and arguing that legislative intervention was undermining U.S. negotiating leverage.

Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon continued in parallel, killing at least seven people Saturday despite a ceasefire agreement. The Israeli military issued evacuation warnings Sunday for residents of 11 towns and villages, citing Hezbollah ceasefire violations. More than 2,600 people have died in Lebanon since March 2, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Health. Trump said he would inform reporters of his decision on the Iranian proposal after reviewing its full text, leaving the situation unresolved as of Sunday.