U.S.-Iran Conflict: Trump Rejects Hormuz Proposal as Iranian Rial Collapses

President Donald Trump has doubled down on the U.S. naval blockade against Iran, describing it as a more effective tool than kinetic strikes for preventing nuclear proliferation. In an Axios interview, the President rejected Tehran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz unless the regime completely abandons its nuclear ambitions. This diplomatic stalemate comes as the Iranian economy faces extreme pressure, with the rial plummeting to a record low of 1,810,000 per dollar. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly reached out to Trump to offer assistance in managing Iran's uranium stockpiles as official nuclear talks remain stalled. On Capitol Hill, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced intense questioning from the House Armed Services Committee regarding the financial and legal justifications for the ongoing conflict. Hegseth defended the $25 billion price tag of "Operation Epic Fury," an amount largely attributed to munitions expenditures. While Democrats like Rep. Adam Smith questioned the rationale for continued operations following the 2025 strikes on Iranian facilities, Hegseth dismissed detractors as "defeatist." The Pentagon has indicated that a $1.5 trillion defense budget will be proposed for FY2027 to sustain these global operations. In regional developments, Israeli forces carried out fresh strikes in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, resulting in the deaths of several emergency workers and soldiers. President Trump has reportedly advised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to keep military actions "surgical" to prevent the escalation into a full-scale regional war. Despite the high costs and regional volatility, Republican leadership continues to back the President's strategy, while House Democrats are demanding formal hearings into the administration's long-term plan for sanctions relief and regional security.