Iran Ties Hormuz Reopening to Conditions as Trump Rejects Plan

Iran says it will keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until its conditions are met, while maintaining that diplomacy is the only way to resolve the conflict with the United States and Israel. The position came after President Donald Trump said he had rejected Tehran’s proposal to reopen the waterway and halt regional fighting, though Iran says mediators have not formally delivered a U.S. rejection. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Iran was waiting for mediators to convey Washington’s definitive position before deciding what to do next. He said the terms Iran has set for reopening the strait remain unchanged and that a negotiated settlement is needed to break the deadlock. Trump told reporters at the White House on Saturday that he had rejected the proposal, saying Iran wanted a deal because it was losing badly. Iran says the plan was sent to Washington through Qatari mediators after being presented earlier this week at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The contrast between Trump’s public statement and Iran’s account of communications through mediators leaves the proposal’s diplomatic status unclear.