Washington: US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s proposal for a seven-day ceasefire and has told aides that he expects to resume strikes against Iran after the November midterm elections, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials familiar with the matter.
According to the report, Iranian negotiators had presented the proposal through mediators, offering to reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and resume talks on Iran’s nuclear programme if Washington agreed to certain conditions.
US officials reportedly told Iran and the mediators that the United States had no plans to lift its naval blockade. Washington is instead betting that continued economic pressure could push Tehran towards an agreement on US terms, the WSJ reported.
Trump had spoken of a deal after the midterms
The latest development comes days after Trump addressed the Iran conflict during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly. Trump said he faced a choice between reaching a deal with Tehran and taking further military action. He also indicated that he believed an agreement could be reached after the US midterm elections in November. The remarks came amid continued diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran through intermediaries.
Iran proposes seven-day roadmap
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had submitted a seven-day roadmap to the United States through mediators.
Under the proposal, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz at the end of the seven-day period if Washington met the required conditions. Negotiations on a broader agreement, including Iran’s nuclear programme, would then resume.
The proposal reportedly includes the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports, relief from some sanctions on Iranian oil exports and a ceasefire covering the wider region.
Araghchi said the plan was broadly based on a memorandum of understanding reached between Washington and Tehran in June, which later collapsed. He said Tehran would prefer an agreement before the US midterm elections but that the timing ultimately depended on Washington.
Tehran blames Washington for collapse of earlier agreement
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking to Fox News, said Tehran had previously reached an agreement with the Trump administration but accused Washington of failing to implement it.
Pezeshkian said Iran remained prepared for negotiations and argued that the conflict could be resolved through dialogue rather than military action.
He also accused the United States and Israel of military aggression against Iran and said Tehran was ready to return to diplomacy if Washington was willing to reach an agreement.
Strait of Hormuz remains key issue
The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a major point of contention in the negotiations. Iran has offered to reopen the waterway within seven days under its latest proposal, while Washington has maintained pressure through military and economic measures.
The latest developments come as the nearly seven-month-long US-Iran conflict continues, with both sides still publicly differing over the terms and sequence of any possible settlement.
