The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing U.S. officials, that President Donald Trump has instructed his aides to prepare for a prolonged blockade of Iran.
اضافة اعلان
According to the report, Trump expressed a preference in recent meetings for continued pressure on the Iranian economy and oil exports by blocking shipping to and from Iranian ports. He reportedly believes that other options—including resuming airstrikes or withdrawing from the conflict—carry greater risks than maintaining the blockade. Reuters has not yet been able to independently verify the report.
Proposals to Reopen the Strait of Hormuz
On Tuesday, the United States stated it is "studying" recent Iranian proposals regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, two months after the outbreak of a war that has placed immense pressure on the global economy.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned that Washington is reviewing a new Iranian proposal, following media reports of an offer submitted by Tehran through Pakistani mediators. Despite a ceasefire being in effect for about three weeks, mediations and negotiations have so far failed to reach a final cessation of the war and the reopening of the Strait.
According to Axios, Tehran’s new offer involves opening the Strait while postponing negotiations on the nuclear file—information reported by the Iranian news agency IRNA without further comment. In normal times, one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which is currently under a dual Iranian-American blockade.
Diplomatic Maneuvering and Stated Positions
Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented, "Clearly, we are not going to negotiate through the media," but described the Iranian offer as "better than what we expected them to provide." He added, "We must ensure that any agreement we reach permanently prevents them from possessing a nuclear weapon at any time."
Following the U.S. cancellation of a second round of negotiations in Pakistan, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has conducted intensive diplomatic visits, most recently meeting President Vladimir Putin in Russia on Monday. Araghchi attributed the failure of negotiations with Washington to "excessive demands" from the American side, stressing that his country remains resilient despite thousands of airstrikes and the current blockade of its ports. President Putin affirmed that Russia—one of Iran's strongest supporters—will exert every effort to achieve peace as soon as possible.
Regional Security and Legal Tensions
On Monday, Iran's Ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, stated that Tehran requires guarantees against further American-Israeli attacks before it can stabilize the Gulf region. His remarks came during a UN Security Council meeting where dozens of countries condemned the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Parliament is drafting a law to place the Strait under the authority of its Armed Forces. According to the draft, Israeli vessels would be prohibited from passage, and transit fees would have to be paid in Iranian Rials. Marco Rubio responded to this on Fox News, stating, "The Iranians cannot be allowed to establish a system where they decide who can use an international waterway and how much they must pay for it."
(Source: Al-Mamlaka + Reuters)
