The phrase “before it is too late” took on new significance on Thursday when President Donald Trump used it publicly to warn Iran that the window for a negotiated ceasefire was rapidly closing. In a Truth Social post, Trump challenged Iran’s public claim of reviewing the US proposal, insisting that the country’s negotiators were in reality pleading for a deal. He characterized the gap between Iran’s public and private positions as deeply dishonest and urged Tehran to change course immediately.
The US ceasefire proposal spans 15 points and represents a substantial diplomatic effort to resolve the conflict. Among its provisions are sanctions relief for Iran, a reduction of its nuclear activities, limits on its missile arsenal, and the restoration of international access to the Strait of Hormuz. The strait carries about a fifth of global oil and is one of the most strategically sensitive waterways in the world. Iran’s rejection of the US plan has been the chief obstacle to progress in the talks.
Tehran’s alternative proposal, aired on state television, calls for the protection of Iranian officials from targeted attacks, formal guarantees of peace, reparations for the destruction caused by the conflict, and recognition of Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. These demands reveal how far Iran’s expectations differ from Washington’s. Finding a mutually acceptable compromise will require both sides to abandon entrenched positions.
The conflict’s human toll continues to mount. More than 1,500 Iranians and nearly 1,100 Lebanese nationals have been killed, with additional casualties across Israel and the broader region. Thirteen US military personnel have also been killed, and millions of people across Iran and Lebanon have been forced from their homes.
Trump’s warning on Thursday was a public declaration that patience in Washington is wearing thin. Military strikes continue even as diplomatic channels remain open, underscoring the fragility of the current moment. The time for both sides to make the hard compromises necessary for peace may truly be running out.
