President Donald Trump declined the Iranian offer to lift the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran wanted sanctions relief before any nuclear negotiations could begin.
The package, outlined by Washington, called for an immediate reopening of the strait, a seven‑day ceasefire, and the resumption of talks over Iran’s nuclear programme, in return for the U.S. easing sanctions on Iranian oil sales.
Mike Waltz, the U.S. UN ambassador, told CNN that Tehran was requesting "billions and billions" in sanctions relief, a move the U.S. deemed unacceptable. Trump described the U.S. as "winning tremendously" and claimed total control of the strait. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would only open the strait if its conditions were met. President Masoud Pezeshkian warned against "bullying or coercion" and said Iran was ready to resume talks.
The dispute comes amid a broader standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that handles roughly 20% of the world’s oil traffic, and ongoing U.S. air strikes on Iranian targets. Washington has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports and imposed sanctions since 2018.
With negotiations stalled, the U.S. is poised to keep its blockade in place, while Tehran has signalled it will be ready to resume hostilities if diplomatic progress stalls.