Taskin Ahmed Riyad, Editor || U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s latest proposal and made it clear that the naval blockade will remain in place until a nuclear agreement is reached. Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has stated that it is compiling a list of targets during the ceasefire period and warned of a strong response if hostilities resume.At present, an “indefinite” ceasefire is in effect between Iran and United States, which Trump unilaterally announced last week. However, tensions remain high across the Middle East due to Iran’s strict monitoring of the Strait of Hormuz and the ongoing U.S. naval blockade.On Monday (April 27), the White House confirmed that Trump and his national security team had received a new proposal from Iran aimed at ending the conflict. Neither side has disclosed the full details of the proposal.Media reports suggest the proposal included reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for ending the conflict, while discussions on Tehran’s nuclear program would be held at a later date. Trump reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the offer.According to U.S. media outlet Axios, Trump rejected Iran’s proposal to end the two-month-long conflict in the Middle East. He reiterated that no peace deal would be reached unless Iran agrees to abandon its nuclear program and address Washington’s concerns. Until then, the naval blockade will remain in force.In an interview with Axios on Wednesday (April 29), the Republican leader claimed that Iran is seeking a deal with the United States to lift the blockade, which he described as “more effective than bombing.”Trump added that due to U.S. sanctions, Iran has been unable to export crude oil, pushing its storage facilities and pipelines “to the brink of explosion.” He stated, “The blockade is somewhat more effective than bombing. They’re suffocating. The situation is going to get worse for them. They will not be allowed to have nuclear weapons.”He further said, 'They want to make a deal now. They don’t want me to keep the blockade, but I don’t want to lift it because I don’t want them to have nuclear weapons.' Trump also claimed that discussions with Iran are ongoing via phone.According to Trump, countries in the Middle East now face the moment to concede, saying, 'We surrender.' He added, 'The question is whether they will be tough enough. There will be no deal unless they agree not to have nuclear weapons.'In an effort to break the deadlock in negotiations, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has reportedly prepared plans for a 'short and powerful' strike against Iran. The move is intended to pressure Tehran into returning to the negotiating table with greater flexibility.In response to U.S. warnings, Iran’s military stated that it is finalizing its list of targets during the ceasefire. An IRGC spokesperson warned that if the United States or Israel launches further aggression, they will face a new military strategy and unprecedented resistance.Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense criticism during a congressional hearing his first on the Iran conflict where Democratic lawmakers engaged in heated exchanges. One lawmaker described the war as a 'strategic mistake' and a 'quagmire.'Calls for the defense secretary’s resignation have also emerged following the deaths of U.S. troops in the conflict. During the hearing, a lawmaker alleged that troops were deployed to a base despite it being on Iran’s target list, increasing the risk. Hegseth denied the claim, stating that proper measures had been taken to ensure troop safety.A senior Pentagon financial official informed Congress that since the conflict began in late February, the U.S. military has spent approximately $25 billion. The war has resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. soldiers and left hundreds more injured. A significant portion of the expenditure has gone toward weapons and damaged equipment, making it a major issue in U.S. domestic politics.