Iran will wait for an official response from US negotiators after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping within seven days. The waterway has been effectively closed since the outbreak of war in February, threatening the flow of about a fifth of the world’s gas and oil supply.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged Trump’s rejection in a post on Telegram but pointed out contradictions in the president’s statements. Trump had told reporters at the White House that the proposal was not “acceptable” because Iran wanted to open the strait immediately “because they’re losing so badly.”
Araghchi said on Friday at the United Nations that an agreement could be reached if “necessary conditions are met” between Iran and the US. He said these conditions were the same as those in a memorandum of understanding signed in June by both countries.
Iran raised the issue of reopening the strait and ending hostilities during negotiations held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last week. Araghchi’s Telegram post noted that Trump “has made many good statements, as well as many contradictory ones, which unfortunately we hear frequently.” He added, “We are waiting for the mediators to convey the definitive views to us, and we will make a decision based on them.”
Oman, acting as a mediator between the US and Iran, urged all parties to keep dialogue open to resolve the crisis. Oman’s Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, told the UN General Debate that “all parties” should cooperate with Oman in efforts to safeguard navigation in the strategic waterway.
Trump said on Saturday, “I’m rejecting their deal,” adding the US already had “total control” of the strait with “massive amounts of oil” passing through it. The US ambassador to Nato, Matthew Whitaker, supported Trump’s decision in an interview with Fox News. Whitaker said Iran had offered “half measures” and “illusory deals to make themselves look good on the world stage.” He added, “President Trump’s right to reject it.”
Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said economic pressure from the US was affecting Tehran. On X, Bessent reported that Turkey, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates had stopped flights from various Iranian airlines. Some banks in the UAE and Turkey had also halted transactions with Iran.
The Trump administration calls its economic blockade on Iran “Operation Economic Outcast.” It uses sanctions to pressure Tehran to stop attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. However, some economists question whether the latest sanctions will work, as Iran’s main trading partners have yet to fully comply.
China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, has ignored previous US sanctions and continued business with Tehran. This ongoing trade complicates US efforts to isolate Iran economically.
The situation remains tense as Iran waits for a formal US response through mediators. The fate of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical channel for global energy supplies, hangs in the balance amid diplomatic uncertainty and economic pressure.
According to Joy Online.
