Trump Strait
Trump renames the Strait of Hormuz after Iran offers a seven-day plan to reopen it.
Iran offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days. Hours later, Donald Trump renamed it "Trump Strait" on Truth Social, the Independent reported Saturday.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi laid out the proposal to reporters at the United Nations in New York on Friday, the BBC reported. Iran would reopen the strait and resume nuclear talks within a week if Washington lifts its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waives sanctions on Iranian oil sales and observes a ceasefire covering Lebanon, according to the BBC and the Guardian. Qatari mediators carried the offer to Washington. "The choice now rests with the United States," Araghchi said.
Talks through mediators have been "positive and constructive," a US official told the BBC. But Trump privately doubts Iran will meet his demands. He has told staff he expects to resume bombing after the November midterms, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed US officials. Both the BBC and the Guardian cited that same report.
Washington is "in a very strong position with control of the Strait of Hormuz, so we are not in a rush," a separate US official told the BBC.
Before the war, the strait carried roughly 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas, the BBC reported. Fighting between the US, Israel and Iran began February 28. Iran struck Israel, US bases in the Gulf and Gulf allies, then blocked the strait. A June 18 memorandum of understanding calling for a ceasefire and partial reopening collapsed when both sides resumed strikes.
Tehran would let UN nuclear inspectors back into the country as part of a long-term ceasefire, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told CBS News' "Face the Nation." Moderator Margaret Brennan asked him twice whether Iran would grant access. "That is absolutely correct," he said. Iran is "not seeking war, but will defend itself against pressure, threats and attacks," Pezeshkian said, according to the Guardian.
The White House has yet to respond officially. Araghchi said the seven-day clock starts once the US accepts the plan. The strait reopens on day six. Nuclear talks begin on day seven, the Guardian reported.