US President Donald Trump on Saturday rejected Iran’s proposal for a seven-day process to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, dismissing a roadmap Tehran had submitted through Qatar that also sought to revive negotiations with Washington.
The rejection leaves mediation efforts facing renewed uncertainty after months of conflict and severe disruption to commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran formally delivered the proposal to the United States through Qatar and could restore normal maritime passage within seven days if specified conditions were met.
According to the Iranian plan, Washington would lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waive sanctions affecting Iranian oil sales, release an estimated $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets and observe a regional ceasefire covering Lebanon and Yemen.
Araghchi said the required US actions reflected provisions previously included in a memorandum of understanding reached in June.
That agreement was intended to establish a ceasefire and partially reopen the strait, while providing for an end to military operations and Iran’s efforts to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels.
It later collapsed as both sides resumed strikes.
Trump told reporters that the proposed arrangement was unacceptable, while saying Tehran wanted an agreement because it was losing the conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed to normal commercial traffic since fighting began in February following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Iran responded by attacking Israel, US bases and Gulf allies of Washington, while restricting passage through the strait.
Shipping activity remains sharply reduced, with Kpler data cited by Reuters showing a recent 10-day average of about 18 vessel transits daily.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran no longer trusted negotiations with Washington but maintained that the crisis could be resolved diplomatically and commercial shipping restored if the war ended.
He also said Iran would allow United Nations nuclear inspectors into the country.
Regional pressure has meanwhile widened as Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis intensified attacks targeting Saudi oil infrastructure and exports through the Red Sea.
The Saudi-led coalition said Saturday it intercepted ballistic missiles and drones launched toward Saudi Arabia.