Iran said diplomacy remained the only route to ending its conflict with the United States and Israel after President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and halt regional fighting, Reuters reported.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said reopening the Strait of Hormuz remained conditional on Tehran’s demands being met and that Iran was waiting for mediators to formally communicate Washington’s position.

Iran presented its proposal during the UN General Assembly, transmitting it to the U.S. through Qatari mediators. Trump said Saturday that he had rejected the plan, arguing that Iran was seeking an agreement after suffering losses in the conflict.

Araqchi said mediators facilitating indirect U.S.-Iran talks had not officially informed Tehran that Washington rejected the proposal.

The Iranian plan would start a seven-day countdown toward reopening the strait and pausing regional fighting. If accepted, the parties could then begin broader negotiations on mutually agreed issues.

The Strait of Hormuz has become central to the seven-month conflict. Iranian attacks on vessels have sharply reduced shipping through the waterway, disrupting oil flows and weighing on the global economy. Washington has imposed an economic blockade on Iran in response.

Any broader negotiations could include Iran’s nuclear programme. Trump has said Tehran must not acquire a nuclear weapon.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was prepared to discuss its nuclear programme and other issues but would reject coercion. A senior Iranian official separately told Reuters that Tehran would make no concessions over uranium enrichment or agree to ship its highly enriched uranium abroad.

The war began February 28 with U.S. and Israeli attacks and has since alternated between pauses and renewed strikes. Thousands have been killed, with Iran’s conventional forces and economy suffering significant damage.

Iran and allied groups have expanded their retaliation across the region, including drone and missile attacks against U.S. allies in the Gulf and Houthi strikes targeting Saudi interests.

The diplomatic standoff leaves the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of negotiations as mediators await the next formal response from Washington.

Source: Investing.com

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