Trump rejects Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and other Middle East news
Iran offered this week to reopen the strait and resume talks on its nuclear program in seven days if the U.S. lifts its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waives sanctions on Iranian oil sales and observes a ceasefire that would include Lebanon.
US President Donald Trump has rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end hostilities in the region. According to Trump, Iran made the proposal through Qatari mediators at the UN General Assembly in New York, suggesting that the strategic waterway could be reopened and fighting ended within seven days. However, Trump stated that he had rejected the deal, saying that Iran wants to make a deal immediately because it is "losing so badly".
Iran had proposed that the US lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waive sanctions on Iranian oil sales, and observe a ceasefire that would include Lebanon in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is a key passage for the world's oil supply, and its closure has caused significant fluctuations in energy prices. Trump claimed that the US has "full control" over the strait and that Iran has lost key sources of revenue due to its closure.
The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said that the proposal was delivered to the US via Qatar and that the choice now rests with the United States. A US official reportedly said that positive discussions were taking place through mediators, including about nuclear issues, but Trump was privately sceptical that Iran would meet his demands. Channel News Asia and DW English reported that Trump said the US is "winning tremendously".
Brief written by urgent.news from PBS NewsHour, Channel News Asia, DW English (Top Stories), Ajel English, KahawaTungu — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
