Trump Rejects Iran Offer to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

President Trump rejected a proposal from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, lift a U.S. blockade on ships linked to Iranian ports and postpone nuclear talks, saying he was ‘not satisfied.’ The administration described the plan as asking for concessions it could not accept and indicated no deal was imminent.

A senior Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, outlined a proposal that would halt active hostilities, secure guarantees from the United States and Israel not to attack, reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic and have Washington lift its blockade. The official said nuclear negotiations on limits and sanctions relief would be postponed to a later stage and that Tehran would seek recognition of its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes even if it agreed to a temporary suspension of enrichment.

At the White House, Trump told reporters Tehran’s demands included items ‘I can’t agree to’ and that he was ‘not satisfied’ with the terms. He later questioned in West Palm Beach whether the United States would be ‘better off’ without a deal and called a law restricting the use of force without congressional approval ‘totally unconstitutional.’ In a letter to congressional leaders, the president wrote that hostilities with Iran had ‘terminated.’

Diplomatic efforts have not produced a comprehensive settlement. U.S. and Israeli bombing paused roughly four weeks ago, but officials say no final agreement has been reached. Washington maintains any settlement must prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, while Iran maintains its program is for peaceful purposes.

Shipping and energy flows have been sharply disrupted. A navy report said traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen by about 90 percent, with fewer than 10 ships transiting daily. Analysts at Kpler estimated crude oil flows dropped from about 20 million barrels per day before the conflict to roughly 1 million barrels per day in April. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported gasoline inventories fell to 222 million barrels on April 24, the lowest level for that date in more than a decade.

Naval statements reported roughly 20,000 sailors stranded aboard vessels in the Gulf as traffic declined. Shipping companies have rerouted or halted shipments, and industry analysts say stored oil and gas are being drawn down as markets adjust.

Violence continued elsewhere in the region. Israel issued an evacuation warning for parts of southern Lebanon during a fragile ceasefire, and Lebanon’s health authorities reported at least nine people killed in recent strikes.

Public opinion is divided. A recent national poll found about six in ten Americans consider the U.S. use of force against Iran a mistake.

The two sides remain far apart on core issues. Iran’s proposal prioritized an immediate end to attacks and restored freedom of navigation, leaving detailed limits on its nuclear program and sanctions relief for later talks. U.S. officials say any end to hostilities must include verifiable limits on Iran’s nuclear activities. Negotiators face disputes over security guarantees, inspections and sanctions before any durable settlement can be reached.