U.S. President Donald Trump has officially rejected a truce proposal from Iran that sought to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping within a week. Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Saturday, September 26, 2026, Mr. Trump dismissed the offer, stating, "I reject their proposal. They made a proposal but I've rejected it." He added, "They want to make a deal where they open the Strait immediately because they're losing so badly. They want to make a deal and I think that's fine. I like making a deal too."
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical artery for global energy supplies and has been the focal point of a seven-month stalemate between Washington and Tehran. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking to CBS News while returning from the UN General Assembly, confirmed that the proposal was developed in coordination with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the plan involves a comprehensive cessation of hostilities across West Asia, including Lebanon.
Tehran’s conditions for the reopening of the waterway mirror those outlined in a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this year. These include the release of frozen Iranian assets, the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil exports, and the termination of the U.S. naval blockade. Mr. Araghchi noted that the proposal was conveyed to the U.S. via Qatar, stating, "If the necessary conditions are met, the strait can be reopened, and normal maritime passage restored within seven days." He further emphasized that "the choice now rests with the United States."
Despite the proposal, tensions remain high. Following the rejection, Mr. Trump posted an image on his Truth Social platform featuring a map of the Strait of Hormuz labeled "Trump Strait." Reports indicate that the U.S. President remains skeptical of Tehran’s willingness to meet his demands and is preparing to resume a bombing campaign against Iranian coastal targets. Meanwhile, Hossein Mohebi, a spokesman for Iran's Revolutionary Guards, stated that Iran would continue its actions against the U.S. until its seven conditions are satisfied, which include ending hostilities in Yemen.
At the United Nations, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan criticized the international community for failing to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab, asserting that the kingdom rejects the use of these passages as tools for political pressure. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also addressed the assembly, expressing Russia's readiness to contribute to stabilizing the region. While President Pezeshkian maintained that Iran has not abandoned the negotiating table, he noted that the country no longer trusts the United States due to past experiences.
