Trump rejects Iran’s proposal to reopen Strait of Hormuz within seven days

U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday that he had rejected Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restart nuclear negotiations within seven days, though Tehran said it was still awaiting a definitive response through Qatari mediators.

Iran presented the plan during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Under the proposal, Washington would end its naval blockade of Iranian ports, release frozen Iranian assets and restore a sanctions waiver for Iranian oil exports. Iran also sought a ceasefire across the regional conflict.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the initial measures could be completed in four or five days, allowing the strait to reopen on the sixth day and nuclear talks to begin on the seventh. Those talks would include arrangements for UN inspectors to examine damaged Iranian nuclear sites and the country’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

“They made a proposal but I reject it,” Trump told reporters at the White House, later saying the proposed deal “would not be acceptable.” Araghchi said Iran had seen Trump’s initial public reaction but had received nothing formally from mediators and would decide how to proceed after the U.S. position was conveyed.

The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed U.S. officials, reported that Trump doubts Iran would dismantle its nuclear program and has told aides he expects renewed U.S. strikes after November’s midterm elections. Earlier in the week, U.S. officials described indirect discussions with Iran as positive and constructive.