Day 212 | Trump rejects 7-day plan to reopen Hormuz

US President Donald Trump said he expects more talks with Iran this week, saying Tehran wants a deal but not on terms he would accept.

“They want to make a deal, but it is not the deal that I want to make,” Trump told Axios, adding that Iran had “overplayed their hand.”

Asked whether he was considering resuming strikes against Iran, Trump said, “I am always thinking about it.”

Trump also said the US military was facilitating the movement of large quantities of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

He said more than 20 million barrels of oil crossed the strait over the weekend, describing it as the largest amount to transit the waterway since the war began.

A US defense official confirmed Trump’s claim, saying 22 million barrels of oil were exported through the strait on Friday night.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has challenged US claims that Washington has wrested control of the Strait of Hormuz from Tehran, pointing to oil prices as evidence.

In a post on X, Ghalibaf said oil was trading about $35 a barrel above its pre-war price, arguing that the market was reflecting continued uncertainty over the strategic waterway.

He mocked what he called the US “narrative-laundromat,” saying either the market was wrong or Washington’s account was misleading.

Ghalibaf also sarcastically referred to a “free-dollar vending machine in Hormuz” for those who believe the US claims, challenging them to “go grab it.”

Brigadier General Majeed Abdullah Al-Nuzaili, spokesman for Yemen’s armed forces, said internationally recognized government forces carried out hundreds of drone and missile attacks against Houthi targets across Yemen over the past 72 hours.

In a statement posted on X, Al-Nuzaili claimed the attacks in Taiz governorate killed four Iranian experts.

He described the deaths as further evidence, according to the government forces, of continued Iranian support and expertise provided to the Houthis.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran has no dispute with the United States if Washington respects legal frameworks and Iran’s rights.

“If America accepts the legal frameworks and our rights, we have no dispute with it. If it does not, we will never back down,” Pezeshkian said Sunday.

Pezeshkian said Iran has continued negotiations despite previous attacks and pressure, saying military action would not force Tehran to surrender its stated rights.

“We have negotiated every time, and the other side attacked us. Nevertheless, we are still holding talks,” he said.

He added that Iran is maintaining negotiations to demonstrate that it remains open to dialogue.

“We are holding talks so that it cannot be said around the world that Iran is not prepared for dialogue,” Pezeshkian said.

Pezeshkian also called for more efficient energy consumption ahead of winter, warning that Iran needs to prepare to prevent disruptions to production.

Qatari mediators are continuing shuttle diplomacy between the United States and Iran in an effort to reach an agreement, Axios reported, citing US and regional sources.

The mediators have discussed Iran’s original proposal with both sides and presented a compromise proposal for them to review.

Qatari mediators are expected to hold separate meetings Monday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US envoy Steve Witkoff as efforts to bridge differences continue.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem called for an end to concessions and a freeze on direct negotiations, accusing the Lebanese authorities of advancing what he described as a US-‘Israeli’ project.

Qassem said ‘Israel’ had failed to achieve its objectives of breaking the resistance, while asserting that Hezbollah remains open to dialogue.

He said the Lebanese president has the right to negotiate but should not violate the constitution or give up Lebanon’s right to pursue legal action against the enemy.

Qassem called for an end to what he described as concessions and urged a freeze on direct negotiations. He also accused the Lebanese authorities of helping the US-‘Israeli’ project rather than confronting it.

He said pressure was currently being placed on Lebanon to accomplish what ‘Israel’ had failed to achieve over two years.

Qassem further warned that surrendering to the enemy would, in his view, undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty and serve the expansion of ‘Israel’.

US President Donald Trump told Axios on Sunday that he expects US negotiators to hold further talks with Iran this week, a day after rejecting an Iranian proposal aimed at ending the war.

Qatar and other regional mediators are working to revive negotiations, with the two sides still divided over key issues. Iran wants talks to focus on the Strait of Hormuz and the US naval blockade, while Washington is seeking nuclear concessions from Tehran.

Two regional sources said another round of indirect US-Iran talks could take place as early as Monday, although it remains unclear whether the differences can be resolved.

“I expect more talks with Iran this week,” Trump told Axios, saying Tehran wants a deal but not the agreement he is seeking.

Asked whether he was considering resuming strikes against Iran, Trump said, “I am always thinking about it.”

Meanwhile, Trump said the US military was facilitating the movement of large amounts of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. He said more than 20 million barrels crossed the waterway over the weekend, while a US defense official said 22 million barrels were exported through the strait on Friday night.

The latest efforts follow indirect talks between US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York last week, with Qatari officials relaying messages between the two sides.

Iran proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear talks if the US lifted its naval blockade, removed sanctions on Iranian oil sales and reinstated a regional ceasefire. Trump rejected the proposal on Saturday.

Araghchi told NBC on Sunday that Iran remains committed to a diplomatic solution despite Trump's rejection.

“We only care about our national interests. We are ready for negotiations,” he said, adding that Tehran was still awaiting an official US response through mediators.

British police arrested five men near RAF Fairford, a US-linked airbase used to launch strikes on Iran, on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offenses.

Counter Terrorism Policing Senior National Coordinator Vicki Evans said the investigation was in its early stages and that the five men remained in custody.

“We are in the early stages of an investigation, and five men remain in custody,” Evans said.

Airbase used in strikes on Iran
The British government authorized the United States to use bombers based at RAF Fairford for strikes on Iranian missile sites, amid escalating tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

In July, Britain said its armed forces were prepared to protect the country against potential attacks after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned that any base used to launch US strikes would be considered a legitimate target.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said military assistance provided to Saudi Arabia to help counter attacks from Yemen’s Houthis is “strictly defensive.”

Barrot made the comments on France 2 after President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that France would deploy troops, radar units and defense systems to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has faced repeated missile and drone attacks from the Houthis following the resumption of fighting in Yemen in July after years of relative calm.

Asked whether the French support made Paris a partner in Saudi Arabia’s military operations against the Houthis, Barrot rejected the suggestion.

“Absolutely not,” he said, adding that France had deployed military assets to protect its allies and partners since the start of the US-‘Israeli’ war against Iran.

“Does that mean at any time we can be considered co-belligerents? Never,” Barrot said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC that Tehran is ready to negotiate while remaining prepared to confront any aggression, including a destructive war.

Araghchi questioned why the United States rejected an Iranian proposal that he said could restore normal conditions in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

He said Iran is prepared to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if the United States takes specific steps, stressing that the demands are longstanding rights that Tehran wants respected.

Araghchi said Iran wants to end what he described as an “aggressive war” that began eight months ago and is seeking the release of its funds and assets that he said have been illegally frozen.

He added that Iran is not concerned about the US midterm elections, saying Tehran’s focus is on its national interests.

“We are as ready to negotiate as we are to confront any aggression, even if it leads to a devastating war,” Araghchi said.

US President Donald Trump said a “record amount” of oil was shipped through the Strait of Hormuz overnight, according to Sina Finance.

Speaking to reporters before departing for the Chicago area to attend a golf event, Trump said oil prices would fall once the war ends.

He added that he expects the war to end soon, without providing further details.

• Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said air defences shot down a Turkish-made Karayel armed surveillance drone.
• Saree said the drone was conducting what he described as hostile activity over Al-Tinah in Hajjah province.
  He said the drone was brought down using a suitable weapon.

The Houthis’ military spokesman Yahya Saree said on Sunday that the group’s air defences had shot down an armed surveillance drone belonging to Saudi Arabia over Yemen’s Hajjah province.

Saree said the Turkish-made Karayel drone was conducting what he described as hostile activity over the Al-Tinah area of Hajjah when it was brought down.

He said the drone was shot down using a suitable weapon.

• Iran's Revolutionary Guards navy says it captured a US "Remus 600" unmanned underwater vehicle.
• Tehran alleges the drone submarine was conducting espionage in the Strait of Hormuz.
• IRGC says it used intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities to seize the vessel.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said on Sunday it had seized a US "Remus 600" autonomous underwater vehicle operating in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iranian state media reporting the submarine was carrying out espionage missions.

The Guards said the vehicle had been captured using intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities and was being examined by Iranian specialists to recover its data.

The Remus 600 is a torpedo-shaped autonomous underwater vehicle used by the US military for reconnaissance, mine detection and other surveillance tasks, and is capable of extended, unmanned missions beneath the surface.

The reported seizure adds to a string of confrontations between Iran and the United States in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments, amid ongoing regional tensions. 

It follows Tehran's capture earlier this month of what it described as another unmanned US submarine near the strait, an incident the IRGC called a "prize of war."

Read more: Iraq says in talks with US to exempt some airports from restrictions on Iranian airlines

• Bessent dispatched global enforcement teams to compel foreign governments into taking direct economic measures against Iran.
• Turkey, Oman, and the UAE suspended Iranian carrier flights and placed regulatory blocks on branches of Bank Melli and Bank Mellat.
• Bessent noted the cumulative economic impact has driven the Iranian rial to historic lows as leadership acknowledges the war's severe toll.
• The Treasury warned that any entity servicing Iranian aircraft risks total exclusion from the U.S. dollar system.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Saturday that Treasury teams deployed across the globe have successfully driven international measures to isolate the Iranian regime economically, commending a wave of foreign actions targeting Iranian banking and aviation sectors.

In a statement published on X, Bessent outlined the scope of the Treasury's diplomatic press to enforce economic restrictions on Tehran.

"Under my direction, teams were sent around the world to engage with countries and demand action against the Iranian regime," Bessent stated on X. "These efforts are bearing fruit."

Commercial flights, banking operations targeted

Bessent highlighted recent regulatory and aviation decisions by regional partners, specifically citing Turkey and Oman's suspension of flights operated by Iran's private carrier, Mahan Air, as well as the United Arab Emirates' comprehensive aviation ban.

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) confirmed the measure in an official statement issued Thursday, announcing the "suspension of flights by Iranian airlines to and from the state, effective today... until further notice."

Simultaneously, regional regulators moved against Iranian financial institutions.

The Central Bank of the UAE announced measures targeting local branches of Iran’s Bank Melli due to "violations related to anti-money laundering, combating the financing of terrorism, and countering the financing of proliferation."

Additionally, Turkey’s Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) revoked the banking license of Iran’s Bank Mellat, which has faced long-standing Western sanctions.

Total exclusion from US dollar system 

Addressing the broader economic fallout, Bessent noted that Iranian leadership has acknowledged the severe consequences of the conflict, pointing out that the Iranian rial has fallen to historic record lows.

The announcement follows an extensive diplomatic outreach effort. Jonathan Burks, US Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorist Financing, recently concluded a two-week tour spanning the Middle East and Europe.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the US Treasury Department held direct discussions with representatives from over 50 nations.

In an interview with CNBC, Bessent reiterated the administration's stringent enforcement stance, emphasizing that secondary sanctions will apply globally.

"All Iranian airlines will cease operations as of September 23," Bessent told CNBC. "If these planes land, no one will be able to refuel them, provide them landing services, or sell their tickets; otherwise, they will be excluded from the dollar system."

Despite these broad international enforcement actions, smaller Iranian airlines continue to operate international routes, particularly to China, which has refused to comply with American pressure.

• Despite Trump's public remarks, Araghchi noted Tehran has not yet received formal feedback through third-party intermediaries.
• Final Iranian actions regarding the shipping corridor remain on hold pending official responses delivered via diplomatic channels.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Iran will not compromise on its established requirements, emphasizing that reopening the Strait of Hormuz remains entirely dependent on the fulfillment of these conditions.

In an official statement addressing recent diplomatic maneuvers, Araghchi reiterated Tehran's stance regarding the strategic maritime passage.

"Our conditions are clear, and any forward movement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is contingent upon meeting these conditions, and we will not back down from them," Araghchi stated.

Acknowledging early public comments from Washington, Araghchi noted that while US President Donald Trump delivered an initial response, formal communications through diplomatic channels have not yet arrived.

"We saw the first reaction from the US President, but we have not yet received anything from the intermediaries," Araghchi explained.

The foreign minister emphasized that Iranian leadership will delay further decision-making until formal, definitive positions are conveyed through third-party mediators.

"We are waiting for definitive views to be transmitted to us by intermediaries, and we will make our decisions based on that," Araghchi concluded.

For coverage of the previous day, visit the link below.

Read more: Day 211 | Iran offers US 7-day plan for Hormuz reopening