Iran says it has not received a formal US rejection of its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, despite President Donald Trump’s public statement that he has rejected the plan.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was waiting for mediators to communicate Washington’s definitive position.
The development follows diplomatic discussions held during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Iran proposed a framework aimed at reopening the strategic waterway and stopping the fighting.
Tehran Proposed Seven-Day Timeline
Iran said it could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if Washington agreed to certain conditions.
The proposal was reportedly delivered to the United States through Qatari mediators.
Among Iran’s demands were an end to the US blockade of Iranian ports, the release of frozen Iranian assets and relief from sanctions affecting Iranian oil exports.
Tehran also linked the reopening of the waterway to a broader halt in hostilities.
Trump Says He Rejected the Deal
Trump told reporters Saturday that he had rejected the Iranian proposal.
He said Iran wanted the Strait of Hormuz reopened urgently because of the economic consequences of the conflict.
The US president also maintained that American forces had control of the waterway.
Reuters reported that Trump’s comments followed an earlier Wall Street Journal report, based on unnamed US officials, that he had rejected the Iranian initiative. Reuters said it could not independently confirm that earlier report at the time.
Iran Keeps Door Open to Negotiations
Despite Trump’s public rejection, Araghchi said Iran was still waiting for an official response through the mediators.
He argued that only negotiations could resolve the impasse.
Iran has also maintained that its conditions for reopening the waterway have not changed.
The Iranian government has previously said it is prepared to negotiate if Washington takes concrete steps toward a diplomatic settlement.
Global Energy Markets Watch Hormuz
The dispute has significant implications beyond the United States and Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major route for international oil and gas shipments. Before the current conflict, about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies normally passed through the waterway.
Reduced shipping through the strait has contributed to concerns about global energy supplies and prices, while shortages of some refined petroleum products have added pressure to consumers in several markets.
What Happens Next?
For now, the diplomatic process remains unresolved.
Iran says it is waiting for the official US position through mediators, while Trump has publicly rejected the proposal.
The coming days could determine whether the two sides return to negotiations over the conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and reducing the wider conflict.
