Trump expects new Iran talks despite rejecting deal offer

President Donald Trump expressed his anticipation for renewed Iran talks this week, despite dismissing a truce proposal presented by Tehran. Iranian officials displayed a plan for a seven-day cessation of hostilities, followed by reopening the Strait of Hormuz shipping channel during their appearance at the UN General Assembly in New York.

Dismissing the proposal, Trump hinted at a potential return to full-scale air strikes on Iranian targets, but told Axios that he expects negotiations to resume. "They want to make a deal, but it is not the deal that I want to make," Trump stated to Axios, referring to the deal he would have agreed upon a year ago. Citing sources familiar with the matter, Axios reported that indirect talks between Washington and Tehran could commence as early as Monday.

Iran maintains its conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, leaving the Gulf region in a stalemate while conflict persists in Yemen. Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies and is now a focal point of the US-Iran conflict, which erupted nearly seven months ago following US and Israeli strikes. Iran's plan called for a cessation of hostilities across the Middle East, including Lebanon, and the restoration of conditions from a prior ceasefire deal that collapsed during Hormuz fighting.

That agreement required the release of frozen Iranian assets, lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil, and an end to the US naval blockade. Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, emphasized that any move to reopen the Strait of Hormuz hinges on these conditions being met, asserting that Iran will not compromise on them. Washington's UN ambassador, Mike Waltz, accused Iran of making excessive demands in exchange for talks, stating that the proposal was "pretty cynical" and suggested that Trump lacks confidence in the current attempt.

Iranian Revolutionary Guards claimed the seizure of an American submersible drone in the Strait of Hormuz, alleging it was used for espionage. The US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in June to end the war, reopen the strait, and initiate discussions on Iran's nuclear program; however, the deal unraveled following an incident where Iran fired on commercial ships in Hormuz, accusing them of deviating from designated routes.

Iran demands ships obtain authorization before passage, citing security and sovereignty concerns. Ships refusing to comply are routinely targeted, while the US sporadically bombs Iranian coastal areas in retaliation. Araghchi mentioned that Iran conveyed a concrete seven-day plan to the US through Qatar, stating that the choice now rests with the United States.

Hossein Mohebi, a spokesman for Iran's Revolutionary Guards, warned in an interview with Tasnim news agency that Iran will persist in punishing the US until Iran's seven conditions are fulfilled, adding that ending hostilities in Yemen is also among Tehran's demands.