Only diplomacy can solve conflict, says Iran after Trump rejects peace plan

During a White House press conference, President Donald Trump categorically declined an Iranian offer to revive the vital Strait of Hormuz for commercial traffic within a seven-day period. In a comment heard around the world, Trump dismissed the proposal, insisting Tehran's rush to reopen the passage was driven by desperation and dwindling funds due to the ongoing blockade.

The U.S. president argued Washington already commanded complete command over the waterway, with substantial oil shipments continuously flowing through. The Iranian proposal emerged following discreet talks facilitated by Qatar during the U.N. General Assembly in New York. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters a full restoration could occur within a week if the right conditions were met, echoing terms from a June memorandum of understanding.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian echoed this, stating past accords signed in Pakistan could revert conditions to their pre-conflict state. However, the White House remained skeptical, with a senior official emphasizing the U.S. maintained overwhelming control over the Strait, and no rush to reach a deal. Former National Security Council staffer Kirsten Fontenrose noted political impetus in Washington for revisiting the June agreement was virtually absent.

The Strait's closure has triggered global energy market chaos, with Iranian-backed Houthi militants intensifying operations in the Red Sea. Meanwhile, U.S. sanctions on Iranian airlines have disrupted civil aviation in neighboring countries, prompting diplomatic efforts to secure humanitarian exemptions. The political climate in the U.S. looms large, with President Trump suggesting a deal may only materialize post-November elections, while the Iranian leader expressed a desire for a resolution before voters go to the polls.

Polls suggest significant domestic challenges for the White House ahead of the midterms, leaving the prospects for a lasting agreement and maritime normalization deeply uncertain amidst mutual distrust and threats of mutual destruction.