Trump rejects Iranian proposal, asserts full US control of Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump announced that the United States has full control over the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting an Iranian proposal for a seven-day ceasefire and stating that Tehran is suffering significant losses due to the closure of the strait.

Trump said Iran is seeking a deal, but described the proposal as unacceptable. He added that the US has imposed “the largest blockade in military history” and established a “wall of steel” around the Strait of Hormuz.

The president noted that vast quantities of oil pass through the strait, specifying that 29 ships transited it the previous night. He added that Iran has put itself in a difficult position by closing the strait and has lost key sources of revenue.

Trump’s rejection comes as US officials reported that Tehran conveyed its proposal to Washington through intermediaries, but the president refused it. The officials said Trump told closed meetings he expects airstrikes against Iran to resume after the US midterm elections.

The officials added that Trump doubts Iran’s willingness to meet his demands, though his stance could change in the coming weeks. They noted his hesitation to resume large-scale fighting is partly due to Washington’s desire to conserve its dwindling ammunition stockpiles for other scenarios.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi revealed details of the proposal transmitted to the US via Qatar, saying Tehran offered a seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping and resume negotiations.

Araghchi explained that the plan requires the US to take steps Iran deems feasible within four to five days, adding, “The choice now lies with the United States.”

According to the Iranian plan, the arrangements include halting all hostilities in the Middle East, including Lebanon, releasing about $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets, lifting sanctions on Iranian oil, and ending the US blockade of Iranian ports, in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Araghchi said the strait could return to normal operations within the proposed period, with reopening on the sixth day and negotiations on agreed issues beginning on the seventh day, aiming for a final agreement.

The Iranian plan sets a seven-day timeline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming talks, while Trump rejects the proposal and insists US control of the strait will continue, as US officials anticipate ongoing military confrontation.