An Iranian frigate in the Strait of Hormuz. (Shutterstock)
Trump signals deep skepticism toward Iran’s latest offer, with the proposal’s lack of nuclear commitments a major sticking point.
By World Israel News Staff
President Donald Trump is not enthusiastic about an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for ending the U.S. military blockade of Iran’s ports, as the offer does not include any commitment to freeze Tehran’s nuclear program — an essential demand for the administration.
Trump “doesn’t love the proposal,” a senior U.S. official told Reuters on Monday.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced that position in an interview with Fox News, stating that any serious proposal must include a long-term suspension of Iran’s nuclear development.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that at some point in the future, if this radical clerical regime remains in charge in Iran, they will decide they want a nuclear weapon,” Rubio said.
He added that U.S. officials believe Iran is not genuinely pursuing diplomacy, but instead using negotiations to stall for time.
Rubio emphasized that “any agreement that is made” must “definitively prevent” Iran from being able to pursue a nuclear weapon.
Trump recently extended a two-week ceasefire that had been set to expire on April 21. Since then, open hostilities between Washington and Tehran have not resumed, though tensions remain high.
Meanwhile, the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports and assets continues, with American forces intercepting multiple Iran-linked vessels, including ships carrying oil.
Iran has responded aggressively, firing on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz — a vital maritime corridor in international waters that lies close to Iranian territory.
The strait is one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints, and the recent attacks on commercial shipping have driven global energy prices sharply higher.
Although negotiations between the United States and Iran are reportedly ongoing behind the scenes, Washington is continuing to bolster its military presence in the region.
The deployment of additional assets, including three aircraft carriers, signals that the U.S. is preparing for the possibility that fighting could resume if diplomacy fails.
Netanyahu remarks coincide with the opposition mulling including Arab parties in the government.
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