Iran says it will wait for official US response after Trump rejects Strait of Hormuz proposal

Iran has stated it will await an official response from US negotiators following President Donald Trump's refusal to accept a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial vessels within a week. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed Trump's rejection in a Telegram post, but criticized the president for previously providing conflicting statements.

Initially, Trump told reporters that Tehran's proposal was not "acceptable," emphasizing that they sought an immediate deal since Iran was in a dire situation. Speaking at the UN on Friday, Araghchi suggested that an agreement could be possible if "necessary conditions" were met by both nations. The minister also mentioned that Iran had raised the issue of reopening the strait and ceasing hostilities during recent UN General Assembly negotiations.

The strategic waterway, crucial for approximately a fifth of the world's gas and oil trade, has been largely blocked since the onset of hostilities in February. Trump dismissed the proposed deal on Saturday, asserting that the United States already held "total control" over the strait with substantial oil traffic passing through it.

Araghchi claimed Trump had made both commendable and contradictory statements, emphasizing the importance of receiving the mediator's final views. Oman, currently mediating between the two nations, urged all parties to maintain open communication to address the crisis. Oman's foreign minister, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, addressed the UN General Debate, urging all involved to cooperate in protecting navigation in the critical waterway.

Trump's opposition to Iran's proposal was supported by US Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, who criticized Iran's offer as "half measures" and "illusory deals." Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also commented on the economic impact of the sanctions, stating that Turkey, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates had halted flights from Iranian airlines, and some banks in the UAE and Turkey had stopped transactions with Iran.

Bessent referred to the US strategy as "Operation Economic Outcast" and blamed sanctions for putting pressure on Tehran, but some economists remain skeptical about their effectiveness, particularly due to Iran's major trading partners, such as China, which have ignored previous US sanctions and continued business with Tehran.