After rejecting Iran's proposal, Trump says he still expects more talks
A day after US President Donald Trump rejected Iran's proposal to end the war, he said he expects further negotiations between American and Iranian representatives. Qatar and other regional mediators are trying to restart the dialogue, though the two sides remain far apart on key issues.
US President Donald Trump said in a Sunday phone interview with Axios that he expects negotiations with Iran to continue, a day after rejecting Tehran's proposal to end the war.
According to Trump, Iran wants to reach a deal, but not the kind of deal the United States is seeking. He noted that a year ago the two sides might have agreed on terms similar to what Iran is now proposing, but circumstances have changed and Tehran has overestimated its position.
Oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz
Trump also said the US military is currently helping facilitate the transport of significant volumes of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran still open to diplomacy
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC on Sunday that, despite Trump's rejection of Iran's proposal, the country still seeks a diplomatic resolution.
Two regional sources confirmed that a new round of indirect dialogue between the US and Iran is expected as early as Monday next week, with Qatar and other mediators working to facilitate it. It remains unclear whether the disagreements between the sides can be resolved.
As a reminder, Iran had proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear talks within a week if the US lifted its naval blockade, canceled oil sanctions, and restored a ceasefire across the region. According to Axios, during Tuesday's talks American negotiators made clear to the Iranian side that Iran does not control the strait and therefore cannot make demands regarding it.