Washington, 26 September

US President Donald Trump on Saturday rejected Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran offered this week to reopen the strait and resume talks on its nuclear programme in seven days if the US lifts its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waives sanctions on Iranian oil sales and observes a ceasefire that would include Lebanon.

But on Saturday, Trump rejected the proposal saying Iran wanted to make a deal because it was “losing so badly.”

“They want to make a deal and I think that's fine,” Trump told reporters outside the White House before leaving for a college football game. “I'd like to make a deal, too. But that deal would not be acceptable.”

Iran effectively closed the strait after the US and Israel attacked the Islamic Republic in late February, and the number of ships passing through has dropped significantly because of Iranian threats and attacks on vessels in the waterway.