President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that he is unlikely to accept Iran’s latest offer to end the conflict, after Iran proposed a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while leaving questions about its nuclear program open to later negotiations.
Trump shared his views during a meeting with national security officials on Monday that discussed Iran, according to two people familiar with the matter. One of the people said it was unlikely that President Trump would accept the plan, which he said had been communicated to the U.S. in recent days.
Reopening the strait without resolving issues over Iran’s nuclear enrichment and stockpile of bomb-grade uranium could erode the United States’ key leverage in the talks, the officials said.
However, if the waterway is left unblocked, it will prolong the soaring energy prices that are causing soaring gas prices in the United States.
It was not clear what President Trump’s next steps would be after Monday’s meeting. U.S. officials remain concerned about what they see as divisions within the Iranian regime and say it is unclear who will hold final decision-making authority over any future deal.
But President Trump has publicly expressed skepticism about the idea of resuming the U.S. bombing campaign, which was put on hold after extending the ceasefire last week.
The White House declined to comment on the specifics of the negotiations.
“These are sensitive diplomatic discussions, and the United States does not intend to negotiate through the press. As the President has said, America holds the cards, we will only strike deals that put the American people first, and we will never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon,” Assistant Press Secretary Olivia Wales said in a statement to CNN.
