Iran Urges Negotiations After Trump Rejects Hormuz Reopening Plan

WASHINGTON — Iran’s foreign minister said on Sunday that only a negotiated solution can end the deadlock with the United States after former President Donald Trump rejected a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The statement was made in a press briefing in Tehran on 27 September 2026, following a brief statement by the U.S. Department of State that the proposal was not acceptable.

US‑Iran deadlock over the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, is a critical artery for global oil shipments. In recent years, the United States has imposed sanctions on Iran and has threatened to close the strait if Tehran does not comply with its nuclear‑dealing obligations. The U.S. has also maintained a naval presence in the region to deter Iranian influence.

In a statement released by the U.S. Department of State earlier this week, officials said that the proposal to reopen the strait, which had been drafted by a U.S. delegation led by former President Trump, was not acceptable. The proposal had included a set of conditions aimed at easing sanctions in exchange for a halt to Iranian ballistic‑missile development.

Iran’s call for negotiations

In response, Iran’s foreign minister said that the country was ready to engage in talks with the United States and that a negotiated settlement was the only way to resolve the current deadlock. The minister emphasized that the Iranian government had repeatedly offered to negotiate on a range of issues, including sanctions relief and the nuclear program.

The statement was made in the context of a broader diplomatic effort by Iran to secure a return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the 2015 nuclear deal that was abandoned by the United States in 2018. The Iranian government has been seeking to restore the deal’s provisions in order to lift economic sanctions that have crippled its economy.

Implications for regional security

Analysts say that the U.S. rejection of the proposal could further strain relations between Washington and Tehran, potentially leading to increased tensions in the Persian Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz is a chokepoint that handles about 20% of the world’s oil supply, and any disruption could have global economic repercussions.

The United Nations has called for a peaceful resolution to the dispute, urging both sides to return to the negotiating table. The International Maritime Organization has also issued a statement urging all parties to maintain the free flow of maritime traffic through the strait.

International reaction

European diplomats have expressed concern over the potential for a new escalation. The European Union’s foreign policy chief said that the EU would continue to support diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office has called for a “constructive dialogue” between the two countries.

In a statement, the United Nations Secretary‑General said that the organization was ready to facilitate talks between the United States and Iran. The UN has previously mediated negotiations over the nuclear issue, but no new agreement has been reached since the U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA.

Next steps

Iran’s foreign ministry has announced that it will send a delegation to Washington in the coming weeks to discuss the possibility of reopening the strait under a new framework. The U.S. has not yet confirmed whether it will receive the delegation.

The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as both sides weigh their options in the coming months.