Iran Slams US Nuclear Threat as 'Grotesque Absurdity' in Diplomatic Clash

Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, on Saturday pointed out the nuclear threat issued by US President Donald Trump.

In a post on X, he said, "It is a grotesque absurdity that they claim to seek peace and prevent a nuclear crisis, yet their proposed solution is "one big glow." HOWEVER... (just watch Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, 1964)."

Trump signaled late on Thursday (local time) that the US-Iran ceasefire agreement is still in play, despite a fresh exchange of fire between the two sides in the Strait of Hormuz, as per The Hill.

" If there's no ceasefire , you're not going to have to know. You're just going to have to look at one big glow coming out of Iran ," Trump told reporters, referring to the US's latest drafted peace proposal. "And they better sign their agreement fast."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that Washington should receive a response from Iran on Friday to a US proposal to end the war.

Iran on Saturday said it was still reviewing the United States' proposal linked to ongoing negotiations over the West Asia conflict and would respond "at the appropriate time", according to a report by Al Jazeera.

The report said expectations had grown that Tehran would issue a response on Friday after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that Washington was expecting an answer from Iran.

Baghaei said the proposal remains under review and dismissed pressure from Washington over deadlines.

"The deadlines set by American politicians mean nothing; we do our own work, and we do not concern ourselves with deadlines or ultimatums," Baghaei was quoted as saying.

According to Al Jazeera, one reason behind the delay is the highly technical nature of the proposal, with Iranian negotiators closely examining every provision in the document before finalising a response.

- ANI