Iran says it will wait for a formal reply from American negotiators after US President Donald Trump dismissed Tehran’s offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping within a week.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, writing on Telegram, acknowledged Trump’s rejection but accused him of issuing contradictory statements, reports BBC.
Trump had earlier told reporters at the White House that Iran’s plan was “not acceptable,” insisting Washington wanted an immediate deal because “they’re losing so badly.”
Speaking at the UN on Friday, Araghchi said an agreement was possible if “necessary conditions are met.” He noted that the terms mirrored those in a memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries in June.
Iran said reopening the strait and halting hostilities were raised during talks on the sidelines of the General Assembly in New York.
The strategic waterway, which carries about one‑fifth of global oil and gas supplies, has been effectively shut since war broke out in February. “I’m rejecting their deal,” Trump said on Saturday, claiming the US already had “total control” of the strait with “massive amounts of oil” moving through it.
Araghchi countered that Trump “has made many good statements, as well as many contradictory ones, which unfortunately we hear frequently.” He added, “We are waiting for the mediators to convey the definitive views to us, and we will make a decision based on them.”
Oman, acting as mediator, urged continued dialogue. Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi told the UN General Debate that all parties should cooperate with Muscat to safeguard navigation in the strait.
Trump’s rejection was echoed by US ambassador to Nato Matthew Whitaker, who told Fox News that Iran was offering “half measures” and “illusory deals to make themselves look good on the world stage.”
He said the president was right to turn it down.
Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, US economic pressure was biting. In a post on X, he noted that Turkey, Oman and the UAE had suspended flights from Iranian airlines, while some banks in the UAE and Turkey had stopped transactions with Tehran.
The administration has branded its sanctions campaign “Operation Economic Outcast,” aimed at forcing Iran to halt attacks on vessels in the strait. Economists, however, caution that effectiveness depends on the stance of Iran’s major trading partners.
China, the largest buyer of Iranian oil, has ignored previous sanctions and continued business with Tehran.
