U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with the latest Iranian proposal aimed at ending the two-month-old conflict, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The core disagreement revolves around Iran's plan to delay discussions regarding its nuclear program until after the war concludes and disputes over Gulf shipping are fully resolved.
Nuclear Issues Must Be Addressed From the Start
The U.S. insists that nuclear issues must be addressed from the outset, and Trump was unhappy with Iran's proposal for that reason. The official stated this following the president's Monday briefing with advisers. White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales further commented that the administration “will not negotiate through the press” and remains “clear about our red lines” as it seeks to conclude the military campaign launched in February alongside Israel.
Impact on Global Markets
The diplomatic impasse has had an immediate impact on global markets, with oil prices resuming an upward trend in early Asia trade on Tuesday. Market analyst Fawad Razaqzada noted, “For oil traders, it's not the rhetoric that matters any more, but the actual physical flow of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz, and right now, that flow remains constrained.” Ship-tracking data indicates that the U.S. blockade has forced at least six tankers loaded with Iranian oil to return to port in recent days.
Iran's Response
Iran's foreign ministry has condemned these seizures, describing them as the “outright legalization of piracy and armed robbery on the high seas.” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who recently met with President Vladimir Putin in Russia, suggested that the U.S. is seeking negotiations because it has failed to achieve its primary objectives. According to senior Iranian officials, their proposal envisions a staged negotiation process. The first step would require a permanent end to the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran with specific guarantees against future aggression. This would be followed by a resolution to the naval blockade and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian control. Only after these conditions are met would Tehran engage in talks regarding its nuclear program and the right to enrich uranium.
