Iran still awaiting official US response to Strait of Hormuz proposal despite Trump's rejection

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that Iran is still waiting for an official US response through intermediaries to its "seven-day plan" to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, even after hearing that Donald Trump had rejected it. Conciliatory signals from both sides have raised hopes that the door to negotiations could reopen.

In an NBC interview Sunday, Araghchi said that if the United States rejected the proposal without justification, "that is their fault," adding that Iran would wait for Washington's formal reply through mediation channels.

He blamed the United States for repeatedly derailing diplomatic efforts through its attacks on Iran, but said he was pressing on regardless. "I still think we should not miss any opportunity for peace, so I continue my diplomatic efforts," he said.

Araghchi also said Iran was not concerned about the US midterm elections or any other external factor. "We only care about our national interests," he said. "We are ready to negotiate just as we are ready to confront any challenge."

He added that Iran would stand firm against any attack, "even if it is the war of Armageddon," while remaining open to diplomacy. "A very reasonable proposal is on the table," he said.

Araghchi put forward the seven-day proposal on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, offering to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week if the United States ended hostile actions on all fronts. Under the plan, Iran would return to the negotiating table once Washington halted its military activities.

Trump told reporters at the White House on Sunday that he had turned down the offer. "Iran is losing so badly that they want to make a deal to open the strait immediately," he said.

When asked whether he trusted Trump, Araghchi sidestepped the question, saying only, "We trust ourselves." Asked why Iran had enriched uranium to 60 percent, he said the enrichment level was not illegal. "It is still within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and our peaceful program," he said. "We did it for specific purposes, including medical ones."

Araghchi also addressed the whereabouts of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who took power in March but has not been seen publicly, saying he has stayed out of sight because of US assassination threats. "He is in full control," Araghchi said. "We receive his statements, orders and opinions, and there is national consensus in decision-making."