WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump says he expects American negotiators to hold more talks with Iran this week, despite rejecting Tehran’s latest proposal aimed at ending the war.
Trump made the comments in a phone interview with Axios on Sunday, one day after he rejected the Iranian proposal presented during indirect talks in New York.
The comments suggest that diplomatic efforts remain open despite major differences between Washington and Tehran over the terms of a possible agreement. Qatar and other regional mediators are continuing efforts to bring the two sides closer.
Iran and US Remain Far Apart
According to Axios, Iran wants future talks to focus mainly on the Strait of Hormuz and the US naval blockade.
The Trump administration, however, is seeking commitments from Iran on its nuclear program.
Two regional sources told Axios that another round of indirect talks could take place as early as Monday. They said Qatar is continuing to act as a mediator between the two sides.
Trump told that Iran wants a deal, but not one that meets his demands.
“They want to make a deal, but it is not the deal that I want to make,” Trump said, according to Axios.
When asked whether he was considering renewed military strikes against Iran, Trump replied: “I am always thinking about it.”
Iran’s Proposal Rejected
US and Iranian officials held indirect negotiations on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last week.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner communicated with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while Qatari officials helped pass messages between the two sides.
According to Axios, Iran proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restarting nuclear negotiations within a week.
In return, Tehran sought the lifting of the US naval blockade, an end to sanctions on Iranian oil sales and the restoration of a regional ceasefire.
Trump rejected the proposal on Saturday. Axios reported that US negotiators had also told Iranian officials that Tehran could not set conditions for control of the Strait of Hormuz.
Qatar Pushes for a Compromise
Despite Trump’s rejection, Qatar has continued its mediation efforts.
Qatari officials have held separate discussions with Iranian and US representatives and have worked on possible changes to the proposed text, according to Axios.
The Qatari mediators are expected to meet separately with Araghchi and Witkoff as early as Monday.
The effort comes as both sides remain divided over the key issues, including the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions, the nuclear program and the conditions for ending the conflict.
Oil Flows Through Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz remains a central issue in the negotiations because of its importance to global energy supplies.
Trump said the US military had helped facilitate a large volume of oil shipments through the waterway over the weekend.
He told Axios that more than 20 million barrels moved through the strait. A US defence official cited by Axios said 22 million barrels were exported through the waterway on Friday night.
However, oil traffic remains well below pre-war levels. Reuters reported earlier this week that only a small number of commercial vessels were crossing the strait on some days, compared with an average of about 125 large commercial vessels per day before the conflict escalated.
Iran Still Wants Diplomacy
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Tehran remains interested in finding a diplomatic solution.
Speaking to NBC, Araghchi said Iran was still waiting for an official response through mediators despite Trump’s rejection of the latest proposal.
He also said Iran’s calculations were based on its national interests rather than US midterm elections.
“We are ready for negotiations,” Araghchi said.
The latest developments leave the door open for further indirect talks this week. But the two sides still face major disagreements over the nuclear issue, sanctions, the Strait of Hormuz and the wider terms of any ceasefire or settlement.
