TEHRAN — Iran says it is waiting for an official response from US negotiators after President Donald Trump rejected its proposal to reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping within seven days, raising fresh uncertainty over efforts to end the conflict between the two countries.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged Trump’s rejection in a post on Telegram, while accusing the US president of making contradictory statements about the negotiations.
Araghchi said Tehran would wait for mediators to communicate Washington’s definitive position before deciding on its next move.
“We are waiting for the mediators to convey the definitive views to us, and we will make a decision based on them,” he said.
Earlier, Trump told reporters at the White House that Iran’s proposal was unacceptable, insisting that the United States wanted an immediate agreement to reopen the waterway.
“They’re losing so badly,” Trump said, explaining his position on the negotiations.
On Saturday, the US president confirmed that he had rejected the Iranian proposal, claiming that Washington already had “total control” of the strait, through which he said massive amounts of oil were passing.
Iran links reopening of strait to agreement
Speaking to reporters at the United Nations on Friday, Araghchi said an agreement could still be reached if the “necessary conditions are met” by both countries.
He maintained that Iran’s conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz were the same as those contained in a memorandum of understanding signed by the two countries in June.
According to Tehran, the reopening of the waterway and an end to hostilities were among the issues raised during negotiations held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York over the past week.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes, with around a fifth of global oil and gas supplies normally passing through it. The waterway has been effectively closed since the outbreak of war in February, disrupting international energy trade.
Araghchi also criticised Trump’s approach to the negotiations, saying the US president had made several positive statements alongside contradictory remarks.
Oman urges continued diplomatic engagement
Oman, which has been serving as a mediator between Washington and Tehran, has called on all parties to maintain dialogue and work towards resolving the crisis.
Oman’s Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, made the appeal during the UN General Debate, urging all parties to cooperate with Muscat in efforts to safeguard navigation through the strategic waterway.
Oman’s involvement comes as diplomatic efforts continue to find a way forward following the latest disagreement over the proposed reopening timetable.
US defends Trump’s rejection
Trump’s decision to reject Iran’s proposal was supported by US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker, who described Tehran’s offer as insufficient.
Speaking to Fox News on Saturday, Whitaker accused Iran of proposing “half measures” and “illusory deals” intended to improve its international standing.
He said Trump was justified in rejecting the offer, arguing that Washington was seeking a more immediate and substantive agreement.
Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said American economic pressure was increasingly affecting Iran’s financial and commercial activities.
In a post on X on Saturday, Bessent claimed that Turkey, Oman and the United Arab Emirates had halted flights operated by various Iranian airlines. He also said some banks in the UAE and Turkey had stopped transactions with Iran.
US intensifies economic pressure on Tehran
The Trump administration has named its economic blockade campaign against Iran “Operation Economic Outcast”, using sanctions and other financial restrictions to pressure Tehran to stop attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
However, the effectiveness of the latest measures remains uncertain, with some economists questioning whether Washington can achieve its objectives without the cooperation of Iran’s major trading partners.
China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil, remains a significant factor in the sanctions campaign. Beijing has previously continued trading with Tehran despite US sanctions, potentially limiting the impact of Washington’s economic pressure.
With Iran awaiting a definitive response through mediators and the United States demanding an immediate reopening of the strait, the diplomatic standoff continues to pose risks to international shipping and global energy markets.
