Trump Turns Down Iran's Offer to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump has rejected Iran's offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days in exchange for sanctions relief and an end to the US naval blockade.
US President Donald Trump has turned down an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week, saying the terms offered by Tehran were not acceptable to Washington.
Iran put the offer forward this week, suggesting it would reopen the strategic waterway and return to talks on its nuclear programme within seven days. In return, it sought the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, a waiver of sanctions on Iranian oil sales, and a ceasefire that would extend to Lebanon.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday before departing for a college football game, Trump confirmed he had dismissed the offer. "They made a proposal, but I've rejected it," he said.
The president said Iran was seeking a deal because it was "losing so badly", and argued that the United States had the upper hand in the waterway. "We have total control of the Hormuz Strait," he said, adding that 29 ships had exited the strait the previous night.
Trump described the US naval posture as "the greatest blockade ever in military history", saying it had cut off Iranian revenue tied to the strait. He said Iran had closed the waterway in an attempt to create global disruption, but that the US response had left Tehran without income from the route while other countries retained access.
"They want to make a deal and I think that's fine," Trump said. "I'd like to make a deal, too. But that deal would not be acceptable."
Iran effectively shut the strait after the US and Israel attacked the Islamic Republic in late February. Shipping traffic through the waterway has since fallen sharply, with Iranian threats and attacks on vessels deterring transit.