Iran digs in on Strait of Hormuz demands after Trump rejects proposal

Iran said Sunday it will not back down from its conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, after President Donald Trump rejected its proposal, which Washington called a cynical diplomatic ploy. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that any move toward reopening depends on satisfying these conditions. Iran submitted a proposal Friday to reopen the strait within seven days of acceptance, but Trump refused it Saturday, saying Tehran wanted a deal because it is "losing badly." Araghchi insisted the demands are not new, referencing a June agreement that collapsed over passage terms, including an end to hostilities, unfreezing assets, and lifting sanctions. The strait, which carried a fifth of global oil before the war, remains contested, with Iran claiming control and the U.S. imposing a blockade. Iran also reported seizing a U.S. underwater drone, while tensions persist in Yemen, where Houthi offensives threaten another strategic chokepoint.