Trump rejects proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran says it is awaiting definitive US position

Trump Rejects Proposal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

Earthguardiansonline.com – Trump rejects proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, leaving the future of a crucial global shipping route uncertain. Iran says it is waiting for Washington to deliver a definitive position through mediators after President Donald Trump dismissed Tehran’s latest offer as unacceptable.

Iran has proposed restoring passage through the strait and returning to negotiations with the United States if Washington accepts Iranian conditions. The full details of those conditions have not been publicly disclosed.

The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is a vital route for commercial shipping. Any continued disruption raises concerns about maritime security and regional stability.

Trump Says Iran’s Offer Is Not Acceptable

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump said Tehran wanted an immediate deal because of its military position, but maintained that the proposal did not satisfy US expectations.

“I reject their proposal.”

Trump said he was still willing to make an agreement in principle, while rejecting the terms Iran had presented.

“They want to make a deal where they open the strait immediately because they’re losing so badly. They want a make a deal, and I think that’s fine. I like making a deal too, but that deal would not be acceptable.”

The remarks showed that Trump rejects proposal to reopen the waterway under Tehran’s current demands, despite Iran’s offer to resume normal navigation quickly after an agreement.

Iran Insists Its Conditions Cannot Be Separated From Reopening

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had noted Trump’s public comments but would not rely on them alone. In a Saturday Telegram statement, he said Iran was awaiting a formal US response through the intermediaries involved in the talks.

Araghchi said Iran’s requirements were not negotiable and that reopening the Strait of Hormuz depended on Washington meeting them.

“We will not back down from them.”

He said Iran’s proposal could take effect immediately if the United States accepted it. Speaking in New York during the United Nations General Assembly, Araghchi said normal maritime passage could be restored within seven days if the necessary conditions were fulfilled.

“If the necessary conditions are met, the strait can be reopened, a normal maritime passage restored within seven days. The choice now rests with the United States.”

Araghchi argued that Iran could not be expected to ensure shipping security without broader changes in US policy, citing military strikes, threats, a maritime blockade and coercive measures against Iran.

“You cannot bomb a country, threaten its annihilation, impose a maritime blockade, and coercive measures, and expect automatic restoration of security and navigation.”

June Memorandum Remains Part of the Dispute

Araghchi linked the latest framework to conditions discussed in the US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding signed in June. That agreement collapsed soon afterward when fighting resumed.

The memorandum included sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to military operations, including operations involving Lebanon. Its breakdown highlights how difficult it may be to separate maritime access from broader disputes over sanctions, security and diplomatic commitments.

A White House official had previously described messages exchanged through mediators as positive and constructive. The official also said the United States was not under pressure to move quickly because it held a strong position in the Strait of Hormuz.

“The United States is in a very strong position with control of the Strait of Hormuz, so we are not in a rush.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio similarly said earlier in the week that reaching an agreement with Iran would require difficult work over time. While Trump rejects proposal to reopen the strait on Iran’s current terms, contacts through mediators have continued.

FAQ: What Does the Hormuz Dispute Mean?

What is Iran offering? Iran says it could restore normal maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz if the United States accepts Tehran’s conditions.

How quickly could shipping resume? Araghchi said normal navigation could return within seven days if Iran’s requirements are met.

Why did Trump reject the proposal? Trump said Iran’s proposed agreement was not acceptable to the United States, although he said he remains open to reaching a deal in principle.

What happens next? Iran says it is waiting for a definitive US position through mediators. No immediate agreement has been announced.