Trump Claims Iran Seeks Strait of Hormuz Reopening as Crisis Deepens

Iran Offers Revised Proposal to End War, Reopen Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN — Iran has submitted a revised proposal to the United States, offering to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping in exchange for an end to the U.S. Naval blockade and the broader conflict, according to multiple verified reports on Tuesday. The offer, mediated through Pakistani officials, comes as tensions in the region remain high following nearly two years of military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil supplies, has been effectively closed to Iranian shipping since early 2025, when the U.S. Imposed a naval blockade as part of its broader campaign to pressure Iran over its nuclear program and regional activities. The blockade has crippled Iran’s economy, leading to severe fuel shortages, hyperinflation, and widespread public unrest.

Iran’s Proposal: End the War First, Then Negotiate Nuclear Issues

According to Thairath.co.th, Iran’s latest offer prioritizes an immediate ceasefire and the lifting of the U.S. Blockade before addressing other disputes, including Tehran’s nuclear program. The proposal marks a shift from earlier negotiations, where Iran had insisted on parallel discussions over both the war and its nuclear ambitions.

“Iran is signaling that it wants a phased approach,” a diplomatic source told Investing.com via CNN. “They’re saying, ‘End the war first, then we can talk about the rest.’” The source added that Iran’s leadership believes the economic strain from the blockade has left the country with little leverage beyond a full cessation of hostilities.

The revised proposal was delivered to U.S. Officials through Pakistani intermediaries on Monday, just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump declared in a press briefing that Iran was “on the brink of collapse” and that Tehran was “begging” for the Strait to be reopened. Trump’s remarks, reported by Bangkokbiznews and Manager Online, were seen as an attempt to frame the negotiations on Washington’s terms, emphasizing Iran’s weakened position.

“Iran is in a desperate situation. They know they can’t sustain this blockade much longer, and they’re looking for a way out that saves face,”

a U.S. Official familiar with the negotiations told Reuters, as cited in verified reporting.

U.S. Response: Skepticism and Conditions

The Trump administration has reacted cautiously to Iran’s proposal, with officials expressing skepticism about Tehran’s willingness to make meaningful concessions. According to LINE TODAY, Trump is expected to deliver a formal response to Iran’s offer in the coming days, though early indications suggest the U.S. Will demand broader commitments on Iran’s nuclear program and regional activities before agreeing to lift the blockade.

A U.S. Official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said Trump was “not keen” on the proposal, describing it as insufficient. “He doesn’t love the proposal,” the official said, citing the lack of progress on Iran’s nuclear program as a major sticking point. The official added that work to bridge gaps between the two sides was ongoing, but no breakthrough was imminent.

Trump’s hardline stance reflects broader concerns within his administration that lifting the blockade without securing verifiable concessions could embolden Iran’s regional proxies and undermine U.S. Efforts to curb Tehran’s influence in the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes, has been a focal point of the conflict, with both sides accusing the other of escalating tensions through military posturing and economic pressure.

Economic and Geopolitical Stakes

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has had far-reaching consequences for global energy markets. Since the U.S. Blockade was imposed in early 2025, oil prices have surged by more than 40%, according to industry analysts, contributing to inflationary pressures in major economies. While alternative shipping routes have mitigated some of the impact, the blockade has disrupted supply chains and heightened fears of a broader regional conflict.

Iran’s economy has been particularly hard hit. The country’s currency, the rial, has lost over 70% of its value since the start of the blockade, and inflation has soared to nearly 60%, according to the International Monetary Fund. Public discontent has grown, with protests over economic conditions erupting in several Iranian cities in recent months. Despite the hardship, Iran’s leadership has shown little willingness to back down, framing the conflict as a struggle for national sovereignty.

Regionally, the blockade has strained relations between the U.S. And its Gulf allies. While countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have supported Washington’s efforts to contain Iran, they have also expressed concerns about the economic fallout from the Strait’s closure. Last week, the UAE announced its intention to exit OPEC, a move some analysts interpreted as a sign of growing frustration with the cartel’s inability to stabilize oil markets amid the crisis.

What Comes Next?

Diplomatic sources say the coming days will be critical in determining whether Iran and the U.S. Can find common ground. While Iran’s revised proposal signals a willingness to engage, the Trump administration’s demands for broader concessions suggest that a quick resolution is unlikely. Both sides have dug in, with each accusing the other of intransigence.

For now, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to Iranian shipping, and the U.S. Blockade shows no signs of being lifted. Analysts warn that without a diplomatic breakthrough, the risk of further escalation—including potential military clashes—remains high. The global economy, already grappling with the fallout from the war in Ukraine and other geopolitical tensions, could face additional shocks if the standoff persists.

Trump is expected to address the issue publicly in the coming days, with LINE TODAY reporting that a formal statement on Iran’s proposal could come as early as Wednesday. Meanwhile, oil markets are closely watching developments, with prices fluctuating in response to every new report of progress—or setbacks—in the negotiations.

For Iran, the stakes could not be higher. With its economy in freefall and public patience wearing thin, Tehran’s leadership faces mounting pressure to secure a deal that eases the blockade and restores some semblance of normalcy. For the U.S., the challenge is balancing its strategic objectives—containing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional influence—with the economic and geopolitical costs of prolonged conflict.

As the world waits for Trump’s response, one thing is clear: the fate of the Strait of Hormuz, and the millions of barrels of oil that pass through it daily, hangs in the balance.