President Donald Trump has formally rejected an Iranian proposal aimed at reopening the strategic Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear negotiations. The offer, which proposed a seven-day timeline to normalize shipping and restart talks, was contingent on the United States lifting its naval blockade on Iranian ports. “They made a proposal but I reject it,” Trump stated to reporters at the White House. The strait would be opened on the sixth day and talks on the nuclear programme would start on the seventh day, he said, the initial steps would take about four to five days to complete.
The rejection follows a week of intensive diplomatic activity during the UN General Assembly in New York. Iran had suggested that, within a week of an agreement, it would reopen the strait—a move intended to ease pressure on global energy markets—and initiate discussions regarding its nuclear program. Tehran’s proposal also sought the release of frozen assets, the restoration of waivers for its oil exports, and a broad ceasefire on all fronts, including pressure on Israel to halt operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. A tall order, and allowing the strait to reopen largely on Iran’s terms, with the new route predominantly going through Iranian waters, that would involve the US president convincing Israel to end its attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. According to saudi Arabia is also, To be concerned that the route deal is bilateral between Iran and Oman, and not with the Gulf states as joint signatories.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is returning to Tehran, emphasized that Iran has not abandoned the negotiating table but maintains deep skepticism toward Washington due to past experiences. Despite the impasse, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi noted that Tehran has seen an initial reaction from Trump and is currently waiting for mediators to convey a definitive U.S. position before deciding on next steps.
Internal U.S. sources suggest that the president is privately doubtful that Iran will meet demands to fully dismantle its nuclear infrastructure. Furthermore, reports indicate that Trump has signaled to aides that he expects to resume bombing campaigns against Iran following the November midterm elections. On Friday, the president further signaled his stance by sharing a graphic on his Truth Social platform that depicted the Strait of Hormuz renamed as the “Trump Strait.” According to the US president was earlier, To be privately sceptical Iran would meet his demands to dismantle its nuclear programme, according to unnamed US officials cited by the Wall Street Journal.
The conflict, which escalated into open hostilities on February 28, continues to wreak havoc on the regional economy. U.S. and Israeli strikes have degraded Iran’s conventional forces, though Iran and its regional allies have retaliated with drone and missile attacks on U.S. partners and Saudi infrastructure. The ongoing naval blockade has severely strained the Iranian economy and disrupted global shipping lanes, contributing to inflationary pressures worldwide. Which began on 28 February with US and Israeli attacks, previous attempts at diplomacy have failed to end the war.
Pezeshkian has publicly asserted that Tehran is prepared to discuss its nuclear program and other issues but will not submit to coercion. “Iran is not seeking war, but will defend itself against pressure, threats and attacks,” he said in an interview, reiterating that the nation has already agreed it is not intended to develop nuclear weapons. The seven-day roadmap proposed by Iran included a protocol for UN nuclear inspectors to return to damaged sites and monitor uranium stockpiles.
Beyond the geopolitical maneuvering, the humanitarian cost of the war is mounting. The UN children’s agency reported a significant rise in acute malnutrition among children in Yemen, where the conflict has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis. While diplomatic efforts at the UN highlighted the global stakes of the standoff, the president has maintained that he is in no rush to secure a deal, even as high oil prices continue to impact the U.S. economy.
