Iran Demands Diplomatic Solution After Trump Rejects Hormuz Peace Initiative

WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS/CAIRO — Iran’s government stated on Sunday that diplomacy remains the sole pathway to resolving its conflict with the United States and Israel. This comes after US President Donald Trump declared he rejected an Iranian proposal aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and halting hostilities.

“Our conditions are clear, and any move toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz is contingent on these conditions being met,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi posted on social media. “Only a negotiated solution can resolve this deadlock.”

Earlier this week, Iran introduced a peace proposal at the UN General Assembly in New York, claiming it had been transmitted to American officials via Qatari mediators. Trump rejected the plan on Saturday, asserting that desperation is driving Iran’s urgency to reach an agreement on the vital waterway.

“They want to make a deal to open the Strait of Hormuz immediately because they are losing so badly,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

Despite Trump’s public remarks, mediators facilitating US-Iran discussions have not officially conveyed a US rejection of the proposal to Tehran, according to Araqchi.

“We are waiting for the mediators to convey the definitive views to us, and we will make a decision based on them,” Araqchi posted.

The United States has imposed an economic blockade on Iran to pressure Tehran into ceasing attacks on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which have severely disrupted shipping through the region—even as Trump repeatedly claims US control over the waterway.

The Wall Street Journal first reported that Trump had rejected the Iranian proposal, citing unnamed US officials.

The report indicated that Trump was privately skeptical of Iran’s willingness to meet his demands and had informed his staff that a renewed bombing campaign is likely following the November US midterm elections.

A US official stated earlier that discussions with Iran through intermediaries were “positive and constructive.”

CONFLICT HAS DISRUPTED OIL FLOWS, HARMED GLOBAL ECONOMY

Iran also engaged its Saudi rivals in discussions regarding the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the stakes of a seven-month-old conflict that has disrupted oil flows through a critical shipping lane and impacted the global economy.

Araqchi told reporters at the United Nations on Friday that the proposed deal would trigger a seven-day countdown to reopening the strait and a pause in regional hostilities.

“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. If the US agrees, the warring parties could commence broader talks “on mutually agreed subjects.”

Such discussions could potentially include Iran’s nuclear program. While Trump has stated Tehran must never acquire a nuclear bomb, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran would show no flexibility on its nuclear program even if the US accepted its peace deal.

The official added that Iran would make no concessions regarding its rights, including enriching uranium or exporting its highly enriched uranium stockpile.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in an interview with the CBS show “Face the Nation,” stated that Tehran was prepared to negotiate on its nuclear program and other issues, but would not accept “bullying or coercion.”

“Iran is not seeking war, but will defend itself against pressure, threats and attacks,” Pezeshkian said, noting that it had already agreed that “we’re not supposed to develop nuclear weapons.”

Previous diplomatic efforts have failed to end the war, which began on February 28 with US and Israeli attacks.

Since then, the conflict has alternated between pauses and renewed strikes, killing thousands while degrading Iran’s conventional forces and damaging its already fragile economy.

Iran and its allies have retaliated by expanding the conflict across the region. Iran has struck US allies in the Gulf with drones and missiles, while its Houthi allies in Yemen have targeted Saudi interests.

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