WASHINGTON: Amid reports that Iran is preparing a new proposal, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday rejected Tehran’s latest offer to end the conflict, making it clear that the naval blockade will remain in place until Iran agrees to a nuclear deal.
Speaking to Axios, Trump said the blockade had proven “somewhat more effective than the bombing” and warned that the situation could get worse for Iran. He added that while Iran appears willing to settle, he is not ready to lift the blockade because of concerns over Tehran developing a nuclear weapon.
The proposal, which was reportedly conveyed through Pakistan, set out key conditions, including issues related to Iran’s nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz. Under the plan, Iran would ease its grip on the strait while the United States would lift its blockade as broader negotiations continued. However, Washington turned down the offer, although reports suggest a revised proposal may be in the works.
At the same time, a report by The Washington Post said the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is expected to leave the Middle East and head home soon. While the move would bring relief to around 4,500 sailors after a long deployment, it could also reduce the US military presence in the region at a time when peace talks are not making progress.
Iranian officials, meanwhile, struck a firm tone. Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said fuel supply and distribution remained stable despite the blockade, while Parliament Speaker Bagher Ghalibaf accused the US of trying to create divisions within Iran through economic pressure.
Trump also spoke about the conflict with Russian President Vladimir Putin following Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s recent visit to St Petersburg. According to Trump, Putin offered to help deal with Iran’s enriched uranium, but he suggested that ending the war in Ukraine should be a bigger priority.
Ghalibaf called for unity at home, warning that Iran’s adversaries are now using economic pressure, a naval blockade, and media tactics to weaken the country from within. He stressed that national unity is the best way to respond.
Trump has also hinted that the blockade could continue for months. In a social media post, he criticised Iran’s leadership and warned they “better get smart soon,” alongside a provocative image reflecting his hardline stance. A US official said the administration is considering ways to maintain the blockade while limiting its impact on American consumers.
The ongoing tensions have affected global markets, with Brent crude prices jumping more than five percent to $117 per barrel — the highest level since the brief US-Iran ceasefire on April 8 — as hopes for a breakthrough in talks fade.
Since the conflict began two months ago, Iran has blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas supplies, sending shockwaves through the global economy. At the same time, Iran’s own economy is under pressure, with its currency hitting record lows against the dollar.
Tehran has warned it could take “unprecedented military action” if US blockades on its vessels continue. While Trump has repeatedly said Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, Tehran insists its nuclear programme is peaceful.
At a White House state dinner, Trump claimed Iran had been “militarily defeated” and again stressed that it would never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons, adding that Britain’s King Charles III shared his view.
Despite such statements, Iran’s military signalled it is prepared for further conflict. An army spokesman said the war is not over and that Iran does not trust the United States. He added that the country still has many options and new strategies that could be used if the fighting resumes.