Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that he had been informed about a possible deal with Iran but was awaiting the precise wording. He also warned of the possibility of resuming military strikes against the country in the event of Tehran's misbehavior. Senior Iranian officials said that a proposal by Iran, which Trump has'so far' rejected, would end the U.S. nuclear blockade of Iran and open up shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump responded: "They told about the concept of this deal." When asked about Iran’s proposal prior to boarding a plane for Miami in West Palm Beach, Florida. They are going to tell me the exact words now."

He said on his social media that he couldn't imagine that the proposals would be accepted and that Iran hadn't paid a high enough price for its actions.

When asked if he would restart strikes against?Iran Trump responded: "I do not want to say that. I don't want to tell a reporter that. We'll know right away if they misbehave or do something bad. It's possible that it could happen.

IRAN SAYS IT IS READY FOR DIPLOMATISM

Trump has repeatedly said that Iran will never be able to have a nuclear bomb and said on Saturday he wasn't satisfied with the latest Iranian offer. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister said Tehran was prepared for diplomacy should the U.S. change its approach.

Other news agencies reported in the last week that Tehran proposed to reopen strait until nuclear issues are resolved. This official confirmed this new timeline was now "spelled out" in a formal offer that had been conveyed by mediators to the United States.

Trump said that he didn't prefer the military option "on a purely human basis" and that he didn't need the permission of Congress to extend the war past the deadline established by law that day, because the ceasefire "terminated hostilities".

Trump, despite saying he's not in a hurry, is facing domestic pressure from his own supporters to end Iran's stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, which has stifled 20% of world oil and gas and driven up U.S. fuel prices. Trump's Republican Party is at risk of facing a backlash from voters over rising prices in the midterm congressional election in November.

Iranian media reported that Tehran's 14 point proposal included the removal of U.S. troops from areas around Iran, lifting of the blockade and releasing Iran’s frozen assets. It also included payment of compensation to Iran, lifting of sanctions, ending the war across all fronts including Lebanon as well as the creation of a new control system for the Strait. United States and Israel suspended the bombing campaign on Iran four weeks ago. However, they appear to be no closer to an agreement to end the war. The war has caused the largest disruption to global energy supply, roiled the global?markets, and raised concerns about the possibility that a global economic recession could occur.

Iran has blocked nearly all shipping out of the Gulf, except for its own, since more than two month. The U.S. blocked ships leaving Iranian ports last month.

Washington has said repeatedly that it will not stop the war, a war which has resulted in the death of thousands, without an agreement that prevents Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon. This was the main goal Trump cited in February when he launched his strikes during the middle of the nuclear talks. Iran claims its nuclear program to be peaceful.

The senior Iranian official, who spoke?under condition of anonymity in order to discuss confidential diplomatic issues, said that Tehran thought its latest proposal to postpone nuclear talks until a later date was a significant change aimed at facilitating a deal.

According to the proposal, Israel and the United States wouldn't attack again. Iran would open up the Strait and the United States will?lift their blockade.

In exchange for lifting sanctions, future talks will be held to curb Iran's nuclear programme. Iran insists that Washington acknowledge its right to enrich Uranium for peaceful uses, even if they agree to suspend their nuclear program.

The official stated that "under this framework, the negotiations on the more complex nuclear issue have moved to the last stage in order to create a more conducive environment." (Reporting and editing by David Brunnstrom; Franklin Paul, Ethan Smith, Rod Nickel, Ross Colvin)

(source: Reuters)