Iran offers to reopen Strait of Hormuz in seven days, Trump says no

US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s latest proposal to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, despite Tehran offering to restore access to the strategic waterway within seven days under certain conditions.

Trump said on Saturday that he did not accept the proposal, arguing that Iran was seeking an agreement because it was “losing so badly”.

“I reject their proposal," Trump told reporters, saying Iran was seeking an agreement because it was “losing so badly".

“They want to make a deal, and I think that’s fine," Trump said. “I’d like to make a deal too. But that deal would not be acceptable."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had heard Trump's reaction but was still waiting for a formal response through mediators. Qatar has been involved in diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

What did Iran offer?

Under Tehran's seven-day proposal, the US would lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waive sanctions on Iranian oil sales and release an estimated $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets. Iran also called for a wider regional ceasefire covering Lebanon and Yemen.

In return, Tehran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin talks with Washington on a final agreement. The proposal builds on a memorandum of understanding reached by the two countries in June, which later collapsed.

Why is Trump holding out?

Analysts cited in the source material say Washington appears to believe continued economic and military pressure could lead Tehran to offer further concessions.

Richard Weitz of the NATO Defence College said the White House may believe it can “wait a bit and get better terms". He suggested that continued pressure could push Iran towards additional concessions.

Andreas Krieg of King’s College London similarly said Trump’s comments suggest he views Iran's proposal as a sign that pressure is affecting Tehran.

Iran says trust remains a problem

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran no longer trusted negotiations with Washington after previous talks were followed by attacks and sanctions.

“We have no trust in the American side and do not know on what basis an understanding can be reached with it," Pezeshkian said.

He had earlier said Tehran wanted an agreement before the US midterm elections, while Trump has said he expects Iran to wait until after the polls before making a deal.