Tensions between the United States and Iran remain high as President Donald Trump reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with Tehran’s latest proposal to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and de-escalate the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
According to reports, Iran предложed a phased diplomatic approach through Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who engaged with mediators in Oman and Pakistan. The proposal outlined reopening Hormuz in exchange for the US lifting its blockade on Iranian ports, ending hostilities, and postponing negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme to a later stage.
However, officials indicated that Trump and his national security team remain unconvinced. The administration views the deferral of nuclear discussions as a critical flaw, given Washington’s longstanding insistence that Tehran must be prevented from developing nuclear weapons.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced this position, stating that any agreement must include firm guarantees to stop Iran from advancing its nuclear capabilities. His remarks signal a hardline stance against separating nuclear negotiations from broader peace efforts.
While the White House has not formally responded to the proposal, officials confirmed that indirect discussions continue, focusing on both the conflict and Iran’s uranium enrichment activities. A spokesperson reiterated that the US would not negotiate publicly and would only pursue agreements aligned with its strategic interests.
The proposal has triggered internal debate within the US administration over leverage in the standoff, particularly as both nations weigh the economic consequences of the Hormuz disruption. The waterway, a critical artery for global energy trade, handles roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas shipments.
The continued closure of the strait has intensified global economic pressures, driving up fuel prices and disrupting supply chains for essential commodities. It has also placed political strain on Trump ahead of key elections, while Gulf nations reliant on the route face mounting export challenges.
Despite a fragile ceasefire, the deadlock underscores a broader impasse: Iran appears unwilling to concede on its nuclear programme, while the US refuses to advance any deal that does not directly address it—leaving prospects for a comprehensive agreement uncertain.
