Iran Sticks to Hormuz Plan After Trump Rejects It

Iran reaffirmed its conditions for opening the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, despite US President Donald Trump dismissing the proposal as unrealistic. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran's conditions remain unchanged and that any progress in reopening the waterway hinges on these conditions being met. Iran had previously presented a seven-day plan at the UN General Assembly in New York, which aimed to end hostilities and restore normalcy in the region.

The proposal called for a cessation of all conflicts, including in Lebanon, as well as the fulfillment of the ceasefire deal's terms. These terms included the release of Iranian assets, sanctions removal on Iranian oil, and the lifting of the US naval blockade. However, Trump publicly rejected Iran's proposal on Saturday, stating that the US would not make concessions that could benefit Iran.

Araghchi expressed Iran's disappointment at not receiving any official response from the US mediators, emphasizing that the country is awaiting their definitive position before making a decision. The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global trade, has been under a US blockade, preventing international shipping from passing.

Iranian ports remain under the blockade, as the US attempts to pressure Tehran into releasing the Strait. The Persian Gulf Strait Authority, established by Iran to manage the Hormuz, warned ships against using illegal routes, threatening financial and life losses for those who violate the rules. The Strait is vital for global oil demand, with around a fifth of the world's oil supply passing through it before the conflict began.