U.S. President Donald Trump has dismissed a diplomatic proposal from Tehran to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz within seven days in exchange for lifting the American naval blockade and easing economic sanctions.
The offer, conveyed through regional mediators during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, proposed restoring commercial navigation in the critical waterway and restarting nuclear negotiations within a week. In addition to ending the naval embargo on Iranian ports, Tehran demanded the release of frozen overseas assets, relief from petroleum export sanctions, and an overarching regional ceasefire covering hostilities in Lebanon. Speaking to reporters before boarding a flight to Tennessee, Trump asserted that the maritime blockade is heavily depleting Iran's economic resources and declared that he saw no reason to accept the terms.
The administration argued that Washington maintains sufficient leverage over shipping channels in the region, pointing out that military operations have kept substantial oil volumes moving. U.S. officials also expressed deep skepticism regarding Tehran's willingness to dismantle its nuclear infrastructure, with reports suggesting that renewed military operations could occur after the upcoming midterm elections. Tensions between the two nations escalated earlier this year following joint military strikes, after which Iran restricted transit through the corridor that carries roughly a fifth of the world's petroleum supply.
In response to Washington's rejection, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed that unblocking the strait remains strictly contingent on the United States meeting these preconditions. Despite continued third-party diplomatic efforts to broker a de-escalation, the standoff leaves the strategic energy route constrained and international markets facing persistent uncertainty.