U.S. Rejects Iranian Proposal as Blockade Drives Up Oil Prices

The Trump administration has formally dismissed an Iranian diplomatic overture delivered via Pakistani mediators, which proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the current conflict in exchange for lifting the U.S. naval blockade. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on April 27 that the U.S. would not accept any deal that postpones discussions on Iran's nuclear capabilities, emphasizing that preventing a "nuclear sprint" remains a non-negotiable priority for the administration. Economic fallout from the standoff intensified on April 28 as oil prices saw session gains in Asian markets. The price hikes followed reports that the U.S. blockade forced at least six tankers carrying Iranian oil to turn back, further constraining global supply. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Trump is prioritizing freedom of navigation and the total removal of Iran's highly enriched uranium before any sanctions relief can be considered. In a separate development, Iranian state media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) recovered 15 unexploded U.S. missiles near Bandar Abbas. While Tehran claims the ordnance will be used for reverse engineering, the reports have not been independently verified. Meanwhile, regional allies including Israel continue to monitor the situation closely, signaling strong alignment with Washington's refusal to grant concessions without strict nuclear oversight.