Trump rejected Iran’s latest proposal on ending the war, halting talks as Strait of Hormuz tensions stoke energy fears.
DUBAI, U.A.E.: U.S.. President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest offer to end the war, deepening the standoff on May 11 between the two countries.. Officials said the proposal from Iran included some concessions on its disputed nuclear program.. Talks have stopped, and the recent fighting could push the Middle East back into a full war.. This could also make the global energy crisis worse, especially since Iran is still controlling the Strait of Hormuz and
the U.S.. is blocking Iranian ports.. Trump is expected to visit China this week to urge President Xi Jinping to put pressure on Iran.. China buys the most Iranian oil despite sanctions, so it has a strong influence.. However, the U.S.. and Iran still strongly disagree on many issues.. Trump wants Iran to greatly reduce its nuclear program, while Iran wants a smaller deal that would reopen the strait and end the blockade before more
talks.. According to two regional officials, Iran has offered to reduce some of its highly enriched uranium and send the rest to another country, possibly Russia.. They spoke anonymously because the issue is sensitive.. Trump, however, wants all nuclear material removed and is unlikely to accept Iran’s other ideas, such as officially recognizing Iran’s control over the strait or paying compensation.. He called Iran’s latest response “totally unacceptable” and believes ending the blockade too soon
would weaken his position.. Meanwhile, tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas, have caused fuel prices to rise sharply and shaken global markets.. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who started the war with Trump on February 28, said the conflict is not over.. In an interview, he said a key goal is to remove Iran’s nuclear material.. If talks fail, he said, Israel and the U.S.. may return
to military action.. Netanyahu also said the current Iranian government may fall, but it could take time.. The U.S.. and Israel have killed many top Iranian officials, including the supreme leader, in early attacks.. The war has badly hurt Iran’s economy, but its government is still in control.. Iran has asked the U.S.. to recognize its authority over the Strait of Hormuz, which it has mostly closed during the war, allowing only a few ships
through and charging fees.. Experts say this would likely violate international law, which allows free movement through such waterways, and would likely be rejected by most countries.. The strait was open before the war.. Iran is also asking for war compensation, an end to sanctions, access to frozen money abroad, and a stop to the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.. Israel and Hezbollah have continued to fight, mainly in southern Lebanon, even after a ceasefire
was announced last month.
US Iran standoff, Trump rejects Iran offer, nuclear program talks, Strait of Hormuz tensions, global energy crisis, China oil influence