US President Donald Trump has rejected an Iranian proposal aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Iran presented the proposal at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying it had been conveyed to the United States through Qatari mediators. Tehran said the initiative could reopen the strategic waterway and lead to an end to hostilities in the region within seven days.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Saturday, Trump confirmed that he had rejected the proposal.
“I reject their proposal. I rejected their deal,” Trump said.
Trump claimed Iran was seeking an agreement to immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz because the conflict had severely affected its finances.
“They want to make a deal to open the Hormuz Strait immediately because they’re losing so badly,” Trump said, adding that the US was “winning tremendously.”
Trump said he was open to reaching a deal but argued that Iran wanted the waterway reopened because it was losing revenue.
“They want to make a deal and I think that’s fine, I like making a deal too,” he said.
The US has imposed an economic blockade on Iran as part of its pressure campaign over the Strait of Hormuz. The restrictions have sharply reduced shipping through the strategic waterway, although Trump again claimed that the US had control of the strait.
The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that Trump had rejected the Iranian proposal, citing unnamed US officials.
The report said Trump remained privately sceptical that Tehran would meet his demands and had told aides that he believed renewed US bombing could follow the November midterm elections.
Earlier, a US official described discussions with Iran through mediators as “positive and constructive.”
Iran proposes seven-day plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said at the United Nations on Friday that the proposed agreement would begin a seven-day countdown to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and pausing regional fighting.
“If there is seriousness on the US side to come to a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, everything is now prepared,” Araqchi said.
He added that broader negotiations could begin if Washington accepted the proposal, with the talks potentially covering mutually agreed issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme.
Trump has repeatedly said Iran must not acquire a nuclear weapon. However, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran would not compromise on its nuclear programme even if Washington accepted the proposed peace deal.
The official said Iran would not give up what it considers its rights, including uranium enrichment or shipping highly enriched uranium out of the country.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also said Tehran was prepared to negotiate over its nuclear programme and other issues but would not accept what he described as “bullying or coercion.”
“Iran is not seeking war, but will defend itself against pressure, threats and attacks,” Pezeshkian said, adding that Tehran had already agreed that it should not develop nuclear weapons.
Strait of Hormuz disruption affects global oil flows
The proposed agreement comes as the conflict continues to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy routes.
Iran has also held discussions with Saudi Arabia over the waterway, highlighting the wider regional and economic consequences of the conflict.
Previous diplomatic efforts have failed to secure a lasting end to the fighting, which began on February 28 with US and Israeli attacks.
The conflict has since alternated between periods of reduced fighting and renewed strikes, with thousands reported killed and Iran’s conventional military capabilities and economy suffering significant damage.
Iran and allied groups have also expanded attacks across the region. Iranian forces have targeted US allies in the Gulf with drones and missiles, while Houthi forces in Yemen have targeted Saudi interests.
