Iran has responded to a written proposal from the U.S. suggesting an end to the conflict, according to the Iranian Students' News Agency [1].
This exchange represents a rare diplomatic attempt to avoid further escalation through a third-party mediator. The involvement of Pakistan suggests a strategic effort to find a neutral channel for communication between Washington and Tehran.
The response was delivered on Thursday, May 9, 2026 [1]. The process involved the army chief of Pakistan, who visited Tehran to facilitate the exchange and help the two nations reach a formal memorandum of understanding [1], [3].
President Donald Trump reacted to the Iranian response. Trump said the Iranian reply was "completely unacceptable" [3]. He said they "will not laugh anymore" [2].
Reports on the U.S. reaction vary. Some sources indicate that Washington is studying the response while rejecting threats to maritime navigation [2]. However, other reports emphasize Trump's rejection of the terms provided by Iran [3].
The Pakistani military leadership acted as the primary conduit for the text, aiming to bridge the gap between the two governments. The Iranian Students' News Agency said that Tehran was responding specifically to a text sent by the U.S. [1].
“Tehran "responds to a text sent by the United States"”
The use of the Pakistani army chief as a mediator highlights the lack of direct diplomatic channels between the U.S. and Iran. While the attempt to establish a formal memorandum of understanding suggests a potential path toward de-escalation, President Trump's public dismissal of the response indicates a significant gap in expectations and a high likelihood of continued tension.
