Trump 'Semi-Negotiating' Iran; Israel Rejects Gaza Plan
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- Trump says Washington is only "semi-negotiating" with Tehran and will wait for economic pressure on Iran to mount.
- Araghchi denies any direct US-Iran talks and insists the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until Washington meets Tehran's demands.
- Tehran's conditions specifically include lifting the US naval blockade, per the Iranian foreign minister.
- Israel formally rejected Trump's 15-point Gaza peace plan, as reported on August 10, 2026.
Why it matters: Trump's strategy depends on economic pressure forcing Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran's precondition — lifting the naval blockade — undercuts that pressure approach. With Israel also rejecting the 15-point Gaza plan, Trump's Middle East diplomatic push is hitting resistance on two fronts simultaneously.
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