U.S. and Iranian officials held indirect talks with mediators separately on Monday, aiming to end the seven-month conflict, CNBC reported. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi met with Qatari mediators in New York and stated that Washington is expected to respond on Tuesday. Iran's proposal includes the U.S. unfreezing Iranian funds within 4 to 5 days, lifting sanctions on Iranian oil, and ending the naval blockade of Iranian ports, while initiating nuclear negotiations within seven days. Iran has linked the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to these steps.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday called the plan "unacceptable" and rejected it, stating at the White House on Monday that U.S. officials had met separately with mediators but did not disclose further details. Meanwhile, Kpler data shows that Middle Eastern crude oil exports rebounded this month to their highest level since the conflict began, approaching 80% of pre-war levels. However, transit volume through the Strait of Hormuz remains well below normal, at 10,591 thousand barrels/day on Saturday, compared to a pre-war baseline of 17,133 thousand barrels/day. U.S. retail diesel prices are hovering near an all-time high of $6.53 per gallon, and the Trump administration is again considering an export ban.