Trump Rejects Iran’s Seven-Day Proposal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

Reports indicate that President Donald Trump has rejected a diplomatic proposal from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, leaving Tehran awaiting an official US response to end the ongoing Middle East conflict. Iran introduced this initiative at the UN General Assembly in New York, asserting that it was transmitted to American officials via Qatari mediators. The proposal aims to reopen the strategic waterway and halt regional hostilities within a seven-day timeframe.

However, the US president remains skeptical, reportedly informing his staff that a renewed bombing campaign is probable after the November midterm elections, according to the Wall Street Journal citing unnamed officials.

Earlier, a US official had characterized discussions with Iran through mediators as “positive and constructive.” Under the Iranian proposal, the country would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume talks on its nuclear program within seven days, contingent upon the US lifting its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waiving sanctions on Iranian oil sales, and observing a ceasefire that includes Lebanon.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi detailed the plan to reporters outside the UN Security Council on Friday, stating that the country would also restart stalled nuclear negotiations with the US. He noted, “The seven-day timeline will start as soon as the United States accepts this plan.”

Araghchi explained that the initial steps would take approximately four to five days to complete, with the strait reopening on the sixth day. He added, “And on day seven, the talks with the US will be started for the final deal on mutually agreed subjects,” referring to the nuclear program. He emphasized, “If there is seriousness on the US side to come to a deal and reopen the strait of Hormuz, everything is now prepared.”

The proposal also involved engaging Saudi Arabia regarding the strait, highlighting the stakes of a conflict that has persisted for seven months, disrupted oil flows through one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, and impacted the global economy. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated in an interview with CBS’s Face the Nation that Tehran was prepared to negotiate on its nuclear program and other issues, but would not accept “bullying or coercion.” He asserted, “Iran is not seeking war, but will defend itself against pressure, threats and attacks,” noting that Iran had already agreed that it is “not supposed to develop nuclear weapons.”

Previous diplomatic attempts have failed to end the war, which commenced on 28 February with US and Israeli strikes. Since then, the conflict has alternated between pauses and renewed strikes, killing thousands while degrading Iran’s conventional forces and damaging its already ailing economy.

Trump has previously stated he was in no rush to reach a deal, even as high oil prices fuel inflation. On the Iranian side, questions remain as to whether the hardliners dominating the security forces would accept compromises championed by moderates like Pezeshkian.

Diplomatic efforts surrounding the UN General Assembly underscored the global stakes of the conflict, which has disrupted vital oil flows and drawn in regional and world powers. Early on Saturday, Yemen’s Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting two drones launched by Iran-backed Houthis toward the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Concurrently, Iranian-aligned militias in Iraq have been blamed for a pipeline attack that temporarily removed significant Saudi oil from the market, while Iranian-backed Hezbollah has engaged Israeli forces in Lebanon.

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