President Donald Trump rejected a Qatari-mediated peace proposal from Iran on Saturday, September 26, claiming that Tehran’s push to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz stems from desperation over heavy losses in the seven-month conflict. The rejection highlights deep divisions as the war continues to disrupt global oil supplies and destabilize international markets.
Trump Dismisses Iranian Peace Plan Over Strait of Hormuz
Speaking at the White House on September 26, President Donald Trump stated that Iran’s urgent push for a deal to reopen the critical shipping lane shows the nation is losing the war. “They want to segera membuat kesepakatan to open the Strait of Hormuz because they are suffering massive defeats,” Trump said, using the term to describe the deteriorating position of Tehran’s forces.
The rejected proposal, announced by Iran at the United Nations General Assembly in New York the previous week, was transmitted to Washington via mediators from Qatar. According to Iranian officials, the plan would establish a seven-day countdown toward reopening the strait alongside a regional cessation of hostilities, potentially opening the door to broader talks regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
Tehran Conditions Further Talks on Fulfilled Demands
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded to the rejection by emphasizing that only diplomatic channels can resolve the conflict initiated by the United States and Israel. “Our conditions are clear, and every step toward the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz depends on the fulfillment of those conditions,” Araghchi wrote on social media, as reported by Reuters on Sunday, September 27. Araghchi added that Tehran is currently waiting for mediators to deliver an official response from Washington before deciding its next move.
Despite the diplomatic friction, a U.S. official described ongoing discussions through intermediaries as positive and constructive. Concurrently, Tehran has maintained communication with regional rival Saudi Arabia regarding the security of the waterway, underscoring the severe economic toll the seven-month war has exacted on global shipping and energy markets since fighting erupted on February 28.
Nuclear Stance Hardens Amid Regional Conflict
While U.S. leadership insists that Tehran must abandon any ambition to acquire a nuclear weapon, a senior Iranian official stated that the country will offer no concessions on its nuclear program, including uranium enrichment or transferring highly enriched material abroad. President Masoud Pezeshkian reinforced this position in an interview with CBS’s Face the Nation, stating that while Tehran is ready to discuss nuclear and regional issues, it will not yield to intimidation.
“Iran does not seek war, but will defend itself against pressure, threats, and attacks,” Pezeshkian said, reiterating that the government maintains a foundational policy against developing nuclear weapons. Since the conflict began on February 28 with joint U.S. and Israel strikes, the war has claimed thousands of lives, crippled Iran’s conventional military capabilities, and triggered retaliatory drone and missile strikes by Iran and its allies—including Houthi forces in Yemen targeting Saudi interests—across the Middle East.
Did You Know?
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital shipping lane, and disruptions to it can impact the global economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the current conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran begin?
The conflict officially started on February 28 with military strikes launched by the United States and Israel.
What was included in Iran’s proposed peace plan?
The proposal, delivered through Qatari mediators at the United Nations, outlined a seven-day timeline to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and pause regional fighting, potentially leading to negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.
How has Iran responded to the U.S. rejection of the plan?
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran is waiting for mediators to formally convey the U.S. position before deciding its next steps, maintaining that only a negotiated solution can end the stalemate.
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