DUBAI/WEST PALM BEACH, May 2 (Reuters) - An Iranian proposal, which U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected, aims to reopen shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and end the U.S. blockade of Iran, while delaying discussions...
DUBAI/WEST PALM BEACH, May 2 (Reuters) - An Iranian proposal, which U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected, aims to reopen shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and end the U.S. blockade of Iran, while delaying discussions about Iran's nuclear program, according to a senior Iranian official.
Trump, who has consistently stated that Iran should never have a nuclear weapon, expressed on Friday that he was not satisfied with the most recent Iranian proposal for talks. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister mentioned that Tehran is open to diplomacy if the U.S. adjusts its approach.
On the same day, Trump remarked that “on a human level,” he did not favor military action against Iran. He also told U.S. Congressional leaders that he did not need their permission to extend military action beyond a legally set deadline, stating that the ceasefire had ended hostilities.
“Do we want to just bomb them into oblivion, or do we want to strike a deal?” he asked reporters at the White House when discussing his options.
Later, while speaking in Florida, Trump stated that the U.S. would not end its confrontation with Iran prematurely, only to face the same issues again in a few years.
Although he claims to be in no rush, Trump is experiencing domestic pressure to address Iran's influence over the strait, which has affected 20% of the world’s oil and gas supplies and increased gasoline prices in the U.S. With midterm elections approaching in November, Trump’s Republican Party faces the risk of backlash over rising prices.
TRUMP SPENDS DAY ON GOLF COURSES
On Saturday, Trump stayed in Florida, spending time at his Mar-a-Lago resort and the Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter. In the evening, he planned to visit another of his golf resorts, Trump National Doral, which is hosting the PGA Cadillac Championship.
The U.S. and Israel halted their bombing campaign against Iran four weeks ago but seem further from a deal to conclude a war that has severely disrupted global energy supplies, unsettled markets, and raised concerns about a potential global economic downturn.
For more than two months, Iran has blocked nearly all shipping from the Gulf except its own. Last month, the U.S. began its own blockade on ships from Iranian ports.
Washington has emphasized that it will not end the war, which has resulted in thousands of deaths, without an agreement ensuring Iran cannot acquire a nuclear weapon. This was a primary motive behind Trump's strikes in February during nuclear discussions. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
A senior Iranian official, speaking anonymously about sensitive diplomatic matters, stated that Tehran views its latest proposal to postpone nuclear negotiations as a significant change to facilitate an agreement.
The proposal includes ending the war with an assurance that the U.S. and Israel will not attack again, Iran would reopen the Strait, and the U.S. would lift its blockade.
Future discussions would focus on Iran's nuclear program limitations in exchange for lifting sanctions, with Iran insisting that Washington acknowledge its right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes, even if Iran agrees to pause those activities.
“With this framework, discussions over the more complex nuclear issues have been delayed to the final stage to create a better negotiating environment,” the official stated.
Reports from Reuters and other news outlets earlier indicated that Tehran was proposing to reopen the strait before resolving nuclear issues. The official confirmed that this timeline had been formally presented to the United States through mediators.