President Donald Trump has said no to a seven-day plan from Iran to stop fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to reporters at the White House before leaving for Tennessee, he explained that US military forces and the navy blockade have seriously hurt Iran’s economy.
“I’m rejecting their deal. They want to make a deal now because they lose so badly. I like deals too but that deal would not be acceptable.”
- President Donald Trump
What Was in the Rejected Iranian Plan
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made this offer at the United Nations General Assembly last week and sent it to the US through Qatar as a go-between.
Araghchi’s seven-point plan aims to restart business by reopening the strait, allowing free trade, and ending the naval blockade of Iranian ports that has frozen $12 billion in Iranian assets.
The plan also called for stopping all fighting in every area including Lebanon, and starting talks again with world powers about Iran’s nuclear program after the seven days.
“A deal can take time. They will not change anything. It’s up to the United States now.”
-Abbas Araghchi, Iranian Foreign Minister
Iran’s foreign minister said his country would not change what it wants but hoped the United States would act before the November midterm elections.
What the US Says and How It’s Using Economic Pressure
President Trump has said the United States controls some important shipping routes and that their navy blockade has cut off Tehran’s main sources of money.
While the president was open to thinking about future talks, the US makes clear that any deal would need important security steps like controlling Iran’s nuclear work.