Trump Rejects Iran's Strait of Hormuz Proposal

U.S. President Donald Trump publicly rejected an offer from Iran regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and a potential ceasefire, stating, "They put an offer on the table, but I rejected it." This comes as Trump reportedly informed his advisors of plans to resume attacks on Iran after the U.S. midterm elections in early November, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had announced that Tehran had presented a plan to the U.S. for opening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, contingent on American approval. Zarif stated that the "ball is now in the U.S. court" and that the seven-day countdown would only begin once the U.S. accepted the plan. He also indicated that the proposed steps required from Washington were not new and were already outlined in existing memorandums of understanding.

Zarif elaborated that if the U.S. accepted the seven-day plan, the Strait of Hormuz would be open by the end of that period, paving the way for renewed nuclear talks. He also addressed claims about Iran's nuclear program, calling the assertion that Iran is on the verge of obtaining nuclear weapons a "big lie" originating from Israel in 2003 and perpetuated by the U.S. and European nations.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Zarif blamed the U.S. and Israel for the current security situation, stating it's impossible to expect security and freedom of navigation to return automatically after military actions and blockades. This exchange follows indirect negotiations between the U.S. and Iran in New York, mediated by Qatar, which marked the first talks between the two countries in three months.