Trump rejects Iran’s Hormuz-first proposal, keeps blockade tied to nuclear deal

Thursday, April 30, 2026Developing

Politics Desk

What we know

President Donald Trump rejected Iran's latest Pakistan-mediated proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift the U.S. naval blockade while postponing nuclear talks, telling Axios the blockade is "somewhat more effective than the bombing" and will stay until Tehran agrees it "can't have a nuclear weapon," Axios, ABC, Euronews and Reuters reported. On Thursday the State Department pressed partners to join a U.S.-led Maritime Freedom Construct to share transit information and coordinate diplomacy as oil prices surged and Iran warned of "unprecedented military action" over the shipping curbs.

The rejected plan, conveyed through Pakistani mediators after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's Islamabad visits, sought to end the Hormuz chokehold and U.S. port blockade first and leave enrichment demands for a later round. Trump also told oil executives Washington could sustain the blockade for months if needed and posted that Iran should "get smart soon," while UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned prolonged Hormuz disruption risks a global recession.

What's confirmed

Axios: Trump said he rejected Iran's Hormuz-first offer and will keep the blockade until a nuclear deal that bars a weapon (Axios).
ABC/Reuters: State Department cable asks posts to recruit partners into a Maritime Freedom Construct by Friday, with State diplomacy and CENTCOM traffic coordination (ABC, Reuters).
Euronews/AFP: State official confirmed the MFC will provide real-time safety guidance for commercial transit while talks with Iran remain stalled (Euronews).
Pakistan Today/Malay Mail: Trump warned Tehran to "get smart soon"; Iran figures warned of military response to continued blockading as oil prices climbed (Pakistan Today, Malay Mail).

What's still developing

Whether Pakistan mediators deliver a revised Iranian text that couples Hormuz reopening with nuclear limits Trump will accept.
How many allies join the Maritime Freedom Construct versus UK-French maritime talks Trump aides have mocked.
Risk of renewed kinetic options if the blockade alone fails to move Tehran.

Sources

Axios — Trump rejects Iran's offer, says blockade stays until nuclear deal link
ABC — Trump administration pitches others to join new coalition to reopen Strait of Hormuz link
Reuters — US seeks new coalition to get ships moving again in Hormuz, internal cable says link
Euronews — US seeks 'maritime freedom' coalition to restart Strait of Hormuz shipping link
Pakistan Today — Trump rejects Iranian proposal as US keeps blockade tied to nuclear deal link
Malay Mail — Trump warns Iran to 'get smart' and take nuclear deal as US naval blockade tightens link
Reuters — Trump, unhappy with latest peace proposal, says Iran 'figuring out its leadership' link
AP — Iran’s supreme leader vows to protect nuclear and missile capabilities link
DW — Iran war: Khamenei pledges new Strait of Hormuz management link