Iran Maintains Stance on Hormuz Reopening Despite Trump’s Rejection

Tehran reaffirmed its preconditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, standing firm despite US President Donald Trump’s public dismissal of the diplomatic initiative the day prior.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran would not retreat from its demands, noting that any progress toward reopening the critical waterway depends entirely on the fulfillment of these terms. “Our conditions are clear, and any move toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz is contingent upon these conditions being fulfilled. We will not back down from them,” Araghchi told state broadcaster IRIB.

He emphasized that while Tehran remains open to negotiations, it has never surrendered its rights. The proposed seven-day framework, initially presented at the UN General Assembly in New York, aimed to halt hostilities across the Middle East, including in Lebanon, and restart the stalled ceasefire agreement.

Under the proposal, Washington would be required to unfreeze Iranian assets, lift sanctions on Iranian oil, and end the naval blockade surrounding Iranian ports. Tehran alleges it transmitted the plan to Washington through Qatari mediators.

Trump rejected the offer on Saturday while addressing reporters at the White House. “I reject their proposal … I rejected their deal,” he said, alleging that Iran sought immediate access to the strait because it was “losing so badly” in the conflict.

However, Araghchi clarified that while Iranian officials were aware of the President’s remarks, they had not received any formal message rejecting the plan via official channels. “We saw the first reaction from the US president, but so far, nothing has been conveyed to us by the mediators,” he said. “We are waiting for the mediators to convey the definitive positions to us, and we will make a decision based on them.”

The strategic waterway remains largely closed to international shipping. The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), an Iranian body established to manage the channel, issued warnings on Sunday against vessels using “illegal routes.” The authority stated that violations could result in financial and physical risks for ships, owners, and crews, as well as restrictions on future passage.

Before the outbreak of war, approximately 20% of global oil demand traversed the Strait of Hormuz, which also serves as a vital artery for liquefied natural gas and fertilizer shipments.