US President Donald Trump has rejected a truce offer from Iran, according to Al Jazeera, with the American leader saying he is seeking a "better deal." The Iranian proposal reportedly included reopening the Strait of Hormuz as part of an effort to wind down the war.
Trump described the Iranian plan to reopen the strategic waterway as not "acceptable," NPR reported. The exchange marks the latest setback in efforts to halt the conflict.
Iran's Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said Tehran remains "fully prepared" for fighting to resume but added that diplomacy is not over, according to NBC News. Reuters reported that Iran continues to insist on a diplomatic solution despite the rejection.
The two sides appear far apart on terms. US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Iran had not been negotiating "in good faith" to bring the war to an end, the Guardian reported.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage through which a significant share of the world's oil shipments normally travels, giving any proposal over its status outsized weight in the standoff.
What to watch next: whether Tehran revises its offer or shifts back toward military confrontation, and how Washington responds to any new proposal.
