Trump Rejects Iran's Maritime Proposal as Strait of Hormuz Blockade Enters Eighth Week

President Donald Trump has instructed national security aides to prepare for a prolonged naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, effectively rejecting a proposal from Tehran that sought to separate maritime access from broader nuclear negotiations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized Iran's influence over the waterway as an 'economic nuclear weapon,' noting that the closure continues to hold a fifth of the world’s energy supplies 'hostage.' While President Trump has publicly asserted that the Iranian government is near collapse, U.S. officials appear hesitant to escalate to full military engagement despite recent troop surges. The ongoing disruption has caused a widening rift among Western allies. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has questioned the validity of U.S. military assessments, while regional tensions have increased following the UAE’s recent exit from OPEC. On the diplomatic front, Pakistan-mediated efforts to secure Gulf passage have stalled as Iran demands 'credible guarantees' against future U.S. or Israeli strikes. Domestically, the Trump administration faces increasing scrutiny from Congress. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to testify before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday—his first appearance since the conflict began on February 28. House Democrats are expected to challenge Hegseth on the rising costs of the war, munitions drawdowns, and a prior school bombing incident, as the administration pushes for a $1.5 trillion defense budget for 2027.