Trump rejects Iran’s seven-day Strait of Hormuz proposal

U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that he rejected Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin broader negotiations within seven days under conditions set by Tehran.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented the plan during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Iranian officials said it called for an end to U.S. military action and the naval blockade of Iranian ports, sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian assets. Araghchi said Iran could restore normal passage through the strait after those conditions were fulfilled, followed by talks with Washington on a wider agreement.

“They made a proposal but I rejected it,” Trump told reporters. He said Iran wanted the waterway reopened because of the economic pressure it was facing. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Sunday that Trump rejected the proposal because Iran had sought concessions “up front,” including relief from sanctions.

The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed U.S. officials, reported that Trump is skeptical Iran would meet U.S. demands and expects American bombing of Iran to resume after the November midterm elections. CNBC said it could not independently confirm that report.

Despite the rejection, a U.S. official said Washington and Tehran continued indirect discussions through mediators, including on nuclear issues. Iran maintains that its conditions must be met before it will discuss its nuclear program, while Trump has demanded that Tehran be prevented from acquiring a nuclear weapon and that free passage through Hormuz be restored.