Iran Proposes Fast Deal to Open Hormuz Strait, But Trump Rejects Plan

Iran put forward a fresh plan to open up the vital Strait of Hormuz and restart talks about its nuclear work in just seven days. The proposal came on Friday after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi outlined the terms during a private UN General Assembly meeting in New York on September 24. Under the terms presented by Tehran, the United States would need to end its naval blockade, drop sanctions on Iranian oil, and respect a ceasefire that covers Lebanon. In return, Iran promised a quick settlement that expert Trita Parsi noted could aid President Donald Trump ahead of the November midterm elections. However, U.S. officials stated that President Trump turned down the idea within hours, doubting that Tehran would follow through. The U.S. leader instead shared a map on social media highlighting the waterway as the Trump Strait and signaled that more military strikes might happen. This failed push mirrors a previous agreement from June that collapsed after a sixty-day trial period when ship attacks resumed. Meanwhile, diplomatic talks continue with help from regional mediators. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with the Prime Minister of Qatar on Friday following indirect discussions held in the United States this week. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned that Washington remains open to exchanging messages if opportunities arise, while domestic pressures mount over rising oil prices and inflation.