Washington, Sep 27 (V7N)- US President Donald Trump has rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping within seven days, saying the deal proposed by Tehran is not acceptable. ITV+1
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Saturday, September 26, Trump said Iran was seeking a quick agreement to reopen the strategic waterway because the country was “suffering badly.” He said he was rejecting the proposal and claimed the United States had “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz. KAWC+1
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged Trump's remarks but said Tehran was still waiting for an official response through diplomatic intermediaries.
Iran had presented Washington with a seven-day roadmap through mediators, including Qatar. Under the proposal, Tehran said the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened and negotiations resumed if the United States met specified conditions. Al Jazeera+1
The Iranian proposal reportedly included lifting the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, easing sanctions affecting Iranian oil sales and observing a ceasefire that would include Lebanon. Tehran has also sought to use a memorandum of understanding reached in June as the basis for renewed negotiations. ITV+1
Speaking in New York on Friday, Araghchi said an agreement was possible if the necessary conditions were fulfilled. He indicated that Tehran would wait for the intermediaries to convey Washington's formal position before deciding its next steps.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy shipping routes and has become a central issue in the confrontation between Washington and Tehran. The disruption of shipping through the waterway has affected global energy markets and added pressure to ongoing diplomatic efforts. Reuters+1
Trump said he was open to the idea of reaching a deal in principle but rejected the proposal currently on the table, saying its terms were unacceptable.
Araghchi, meanwhile, said Trump had made several positive statements but had also made contradictory remarks, and that Tehran would await the “final opinion” communicated through intermediaries before taking further action. AOL.com+1
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