Day 64: Trump Rejects Iranian Offer, Military Warns of Imminent Resumption

Sixty-four days into the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz remains the central pivot of the Iran-U.S. crisis. On May 2, signals are contradictory: Iran proposes partial de-escalation, Washington rejects it, and the Iranian military hints that war could resume at any moment.

Iran’s Proposal Rejected by Trump

Tehran delivered a formal proposal to the United States: reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lift the American blockade of Iranian ports — in exchange for a halt to hostilities, while deferring nuclear program negotiations to a later stage.

Donald Trump publicly rejected the offer, saying he was “not satisfied” with the proposed terms. According to U.S. sources, Washington refuses any arrangement that would exclude the nuclear file from initial discussions, fearing it would lose its main leverage once the strait is reopened.

The American president went further, suggesting the United States might be “better off” without a deal — signaling a hardening posture as negotiations stall.

Iranian Military on Maximum Alert

In response, Iran’s military command issued an unambiguous warning: a resumption of conflict with the United States is “likely,” and Iran is “fully prepared for any new adventures or foolishness from the Americans.”

This military rhetoric stands in contrast to the informal ceasefire in effect since April 7 — no exchange of fire has been recorded since that date. But both sides continue waging a war of economic and diplomatic attrition, with the strait serving as the primary battleground.

A Double Blockade: $4.8 Billion in Iranian Losses

The United States estimates that Iran has lost $4.8 billion in oil revenues since the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports was established on April 13. Washington also issued formal warnings to shipping companies: any firm paying transit fees to Iran for passage through the strait would face American sanctions.

This “dual blockade” — Iran’s closure of the strait on one side, the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports on the other — continues to strangle the global economy. Before the conflict, roughly 20% of the world’s oil and 20% of LNG transited through this strategic chokepoint. In March, only 154 vessels crossed the strait over the entire month, compared to approximately 3,000 in normal times.

A Washington Post-ABC-Ipsos poll published this weekend reveals that 61% of Americans believe Trump’s military approach against Iran was a mistake.

Domestic Repression: One Execution Every Two Days

While capitals debate geopolitics, Iran’s repressive machinery continues running at full speed. Between March 19 and April 30, 2026, at least 19 politically motivated executions were recorded — an average of one execution every two days.

The most recent case is that of Sasan Azadvar, 21, a karate champion and political prisoner arrested during the December 2025 protests. He was executed at dawn on April 30 at Isfahan Central Prison. His lawyers had emphasized the absence of independent evidence and the exclusive reliance on confessions extracted under torture.

The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) confirmed that at least 21 people have been executed and more than 4,000 arrested on national security-related charges since late February. An international committee supported by 4,000 cross-party lawmakers in Europe and North America demanded urgent action, flagging the execution of at least 18 recent dissidents, including 10 young protesters.

Hunger Strikes in 56 Prisons

On April 28, coordinated hunger strikes broke out in 56 detention facilities across the country, protesting the execution wave and detention conditions. Prisoners denounce the militarization of prisons, food deprivation, and violence at Chabahar, where 5 inmates were killed on March 18.

Widespread internet shutdowns complicate documentation of these violations. Abbas Yavari, who died in custody, was officially presented as a suicide — a version human rights organizations dispute.

Geopolitical Context: Lebanon and a Two-Front Operation

The war is not confined to Iran. Israeli strikes on Lebanon killed at least 12 more people, bringing the death toll above 2,600 since March 2 — despite an official ceasefire agreement. This situation illustrates the complexity of a region where multiple fronts remain simultaneously active.

Key Takeaways

The Iran-U.S. conflict is entering a phase of structural deadlock: Trump refuses to reopen the strait before obtaining nuclear guarantees; Iran refuses to discuss the nuclear file under the coercion of a blockade. Neither side appears ready to yield first, while Iran’s economy contracts and domestic repression intensifies. The 61% of Americans who oppose Trump’s military strategy introduces domestic pressure that could, in time, shift Washington’s position.