Trump says he expects new Iran talks

US President Donald Trump has indicated that discussions with Iran may commence within the forthcoming week following his rejection of an Iranian proposal to resume the Strait of Hormuz. Axios reported Trump as stating during a telephone conversation on Sunday that while Iran wishes to reach an agreement, it does not align with the terms he desires.

Axios also confirmed through regional sources that a new series of indirect negotiations could commence as early as Monday, with US and Iranian delegates having convened for talks previously this month during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. US negotiator Steve Witkoff mentioned these discussions were carried out via intermediaries.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi subsequently announced that Tehran had presented Washington with a seven-day plan via Qatar to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, currently the focal point of tensions between the US and Iran. Araghchi stated that the US could accept this plan, with the Strait of Hormuz eventually being opened. He added that part of the proposal necessitated the US first meeting certain conditions, such as lifting the US naval blockade.

According to the Wall Street Journal, these conditions included lifting the US naval blockade, which is currently placing Iran under economic pressure due to the cessation of revenue from energy exports.

Trump declined the proposal on Saturday, deeming it unacceptable. He argued that the US naval blockade is exerting economic pressure on Iran by cutting off earnings from energy exports. US United Nations Ambassador Mike Waltz stated on Sunday that the US rejected the proposal due to Iran's demand for preconditions, including the removal of severe sanctions and access to frozen assets worth billions of dollars.

Waltz, speaking to CNN, said Iran only agreed to engage in negotiations after these demands were met. Trump was doubtful that Iran would genuinely negotiate the termination of its contentious nuclear program, according to Waltz. Shortly after the war started, Iran restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, causing oil and gas prices on global markets to surge significantly.

In response, the US instituted its own blockade of Iranian seaports to exert economic pressure on the country.