U.S. cool on Iran’s Hormuz-first proposal; Trump reviews nuclear sequencing

Tuesday, April 28, 2026Developing

Politics Desk

What we know

President Donald Trump's national security team reviewed an Iranian proposal — delivered via Pakistani mediators — that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, end the U.S.-Israeli war with Tehran and lift the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports while postponing nuclear negotiations, Al Jazeera, NBC and Axios reported Tuesday. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump's red lines remain clear and indicated the plan was not under serious consideration; Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the nuclear question is "the reason why we're in this in the first place."

Trump separately posted that Iran had informed the U.S. it is in a "state of collapse" and wants Hormuz opened "as soon as possible" while sorting leadership, The Hill and Anadolu reported. Brent crude and U.S. retail gasoline climbed on the cool reception as CENTCOM kept enforcing the port blockade and Gulf partners met in Jeddah on the same file.

What's confirmed

Al Jazeera: White House confirmed Monday Situation Room review; Reuters/CNN sources said Trump wants nuclear issues first and is unlikely to accept a blockade lift without them (Al Jazeera).
NBC: Rubio called the offer “better” than past pitches but showed little sign Washington would abandon the blockade; Leavitt said she “wouldn’t say they’re considering it” (NBC).
Axios: Iran’s proposal via Pakistan would open Hormuz and end the war first, with nuclear talks only after the blockade is lifted (Axios).
The Hill/Anadolu: Trump Truth Social post claimed Iran said it is in a “State of Collapse” and wants Hormuz opened ASAP (The Hill).
Reuters: Wire confirmed Axios reporting that Iran offered Hormuz reopening with nuclear talks postponed (Reuters).

What's still developing

Whether Tuesday follow-on Iran meetings produce a formal rejection, counterproposal or longer blockade posture.
How Gulf Cooperation Council partners in Jeddah weigh Hormuz reopening versus Washington’s nuclear red lines.
Iran’s next reply through Pakistani mediators after Araghchi’s Islamabad–Moscow shuttle.

Sources

Al Jazeera — Trump reviews Iranian proposal aimed at reopening Strait of Hormuz link
NBC — U.S. appears cool on Iran proposal to end war and reopen Hormuz without a nuclear deal link
Axios — Iran offers US deal to reopen Hormuz strait, postpone nuclear talks link
Reuters — Iran gave US a proposal for reopening the Strait Of Hormuz and ending the war, Axios reports link
The Hill — Donald Trump says Iran in ‘state of collapse,’ wants Strait of Hormuz open link
The Hill — Marco Rubio rejects Iran’s latest deal, demands nuclear concessions link