Trump Rejects Iranian Proposal During Indirect Negotiations

<p>President Trump stated on Saturday that he rejected the latest Iranian proposal conveyed to the U.S. during indirect negotiations in New York this week.</p><p>While Qatar and other regional mediators are attempting to revive negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, significant gaps on key issues remain. </p><ul><li>Iran seeks to focus discussions on the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. naval blockade, while the Trump administration demands that Iran agree to nuclear concessions.</li></ul><p>Trump remarked, "They have made a proposal and I rejected it." </p><ul><li>A U.S. official indicated that "positive and constructive" discussions are still ongoing between the U.S. and Iran through mediators, including on nuclear issues.</li></ul><p>U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held a new round of indirect negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York this week.</p><ul><li>Qatari officials participated in the negotiations, relaying messages between the two parties, according to sources with direct knowledge.</li><li>Araghchi presented Witkoff and Kushner with Iran's conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear talks.</li><li>Iran proposed reopening the strait and resuming nuclear talks in a week, contingent on the U.S. lifting its naval blockade, removing sanctions on oil sales, and reinstating a ceasefire across the region.</li><li>U.S. negotiators clarified to the Iranians during the talks on Tuesday that Iran does not control the strait and therefore cannot make demands regarding it, a source told Axios.</li></ul><p>Dozens of oil tankers transit the strait each day under U.S. protection, transporting millions of barrels of oil to global markets — still below pre-war volumes but sufficient to alleviate some pressure.</p><ul><li>U.S. officials reported that approximately 60 million barrels of oil transited through the Strait of Hormuz over the last 72 hours.</li></ul>