US Rejects Iranian Nuclear Proposal, Imposes Port Blockade

President Donald Trump stated to Axios on Wednesday that the United States will continue its naval blockade of Iran until a nuclear deal is reached with Tehran. Trump told Axios he does not want to end the blockade on Iranian ports, describing it as somewhat more effective than bombing and saying Iran is choking like a stuffed pig.

He added that the situation is going to be worse for Iran and that they cannot have a nuclear weapon.

Trump's comments indicate he turned down an Iranian proposal offered this week for a limited deal that would end its own blockade on Hormuz in exchange for the end of the siege on its ports. Iran has set lifting the siege as a precondition for returning to talks.

The US president reiterated that the US has severely degraded Iran's military capabilities, stating that Iran has very little left and has some missiles, a small percentage.

At least two commercial ships linked to Iran have been captured by the US as part of the siege. The US military stated on Monday that it has redirected 39 vessels in the regional waters over the past weeks. A Wall Street Journal report indicated President Trump is comfortable with an indefinite blockade of Iranian ports.

79 per litre) before the war. International benchmark Brent crude oil futures jumped to more than $119 per barrel on Wednesday. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated on Wednesday that the US is trying to activate economic pressure and internal division in Iran to weaken or even collapse it from within.

Ghalibaf added that Iranians will defeat this deceptive plan of the enemy and achieve a brilliant victory in the war. An unidentified senior security source told Iran's state-owned Press TV that the blockade will soon be met with practical and unprecedented action. President Trump wants Iran's nuclear programme fully dismantled.

Iran has ruled out ending support for regional allies like Hezbollah and Hamas. US and Iranian officials held one round of talks in Pakistan after the ceasefire was reached earlier this month. Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday.

Putin met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in St Petersburg two days earlier. The Kremlin stated after the call that Russia has put forward a number of proposals designed to resolve the disagreements surrounding the Iranian nuclear program, and that active contacts will be maintained with Iranian representatives, leaders of the Gulf states, as well as with Israel and the American negotiating team.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry stated that the foreign minister decried US and Israeli attacks on Iran’s civilian sites, including schools, cultural sites and hospitals. The ministry added that the foreign minister recalled the responsibility of the international community and competent international authorities to take a clear and firm stance in condemning these war crimes and holding accountable and punishing their perpetrators.

In separate developments, a Moscow court decided to uphold the terms of detention for Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who will remain in a Russian jail.

US officials stated they are looking at creative and sometimes quite challenging options to bring Evan Gershkovich home. Four civilians were killed and nearly 30 injured in the latest Russian attacks around the front lines, according to Ukrainian officials.

The head of the Wagner mercenary group threatened retribution against former fighters who claimed they were ordered to commit atrocities against civilians, including children, in Ukraine.

The US sent a letter last month warning Russia not to touch sensitive nuclear technology at a Ukrainian nuclear power plant.