Iran official says strait opening proposal rejected by Trump over nuclear conditions

President Donald Trump on Friday rejected an Iranian peace proposal, aiming to end US-Iran conflict and reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Trump said, “They want to make a deal, I’m not satisfied with it, so we’ll see what happens.”

“They’re asking for things I can’t agree to,” Trump said. But the President also hinted that he wants an agreement that aims to prevent the return of war wholly.

Although, Trump did not disclose on what grounds the US is not willing to accept the Iranian peace proposal. Talking to Reuters, a senior Iranian official said Tehran believed its latest proposal that was rejected by Trump “was a significant shift aimed at facilitating an agreement.”

But Trump turned down this proposal because it demanded to delay nuclear talks for a later stage.

"Under this ​framework, negotiations ⁠over the more complicated nuclear issue have been moved to the final stage to create a more conducive atmosphere," the official said.

The proposal would also focus on ending the war with guarantee, while ensuring that the United States and Israel would not attack Iran again. Iran would be willing to open the strait and the US would also lift its blockade.

Subsequent negotiations would focus on restricting Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran, however, insists that Washington acknowledge its right to enrich uranium for peaceful use, even if it consents to a temporary suspension of those activities.

On the contrary, Washington is not ready to accept the clause where nuclear talks would be reserved for later stages.

Over two months, Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz and the US responded with the blockade of Iranian ports. The persistent closure has sent shockwaves across the global energy markets, driving the oil prices up.