Iran has presented a new proposal to the United States aimed at ending the ongoing war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global trade route, without resolving the current deadlock over its nuclear program [1]. The proposal, which was discussed by President Donald Trump and his national security team, was described by Secretary of State Marco Rubio as 'better' than previous offers, but there was little indication that Washington was prepared to lift its naval blockade or accept the terms [1].
The Iranian offer would prioritize reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the war initiated by the U.S. and Israel two months ago, while deferring nuclear negotiations to a later date, according to sources cited by NBC News [1]. The details of the proposal were first reported by Axios. Secretary Rubio emphasized that any agreement must 'definitively prevent' Iran from advancing toward a nuclear weapon, reiterating that the nuclear issue remains central to U.S. concerns [1]. Iran, for its part, maintains it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons, but U.S. demands for Tehran to halt its enrichment program have stalled peace talks [1].
Energy markets reacted sharply to the lack of progress, with Brent crude oil prices surging to a three-week high above $111 a barrel early Tuesday, reflecting heightened concerns over continued disruptions to oil supplies [1]. The Strait of Hormuz previously accounted for one-fifth of the world's oil shipments, as well as other essential goods such as fertilizers [1].
The Iranian proposal is also set to be discussed at an exceptional summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Jeddah, as confirmed by Kuwait’s state news agency [1]. While the U.S. administration continues to prioritize constraining Iran’s nuclear program, Gulf allies are focused on restoring oil flows. Secretary Rubio noted that the U.S. blockade is exerting 'extraordinary' economic pressure on Iran, which is reportedly running out of oil storage capacity [1].
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Trump’s 'red lines' regarding Iran remain unchanged and that the administration is not currently considering the proposal, though Trump is expected to address the issue publicly soon [1].
CONCLUSION
Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without a nuclear deal has been met with skepticism by the U.S., leading to a spike in oil prices as markets react to ongoing uncertainty. The situation remains fluid, with both U.S. and Gulf officials set to discuss the proposal further, but no immediate resolution is in sight.