WSJ: Trump rejected Iran's seven-day Hormuz proposal, expects strikes to resume after midterms
The Wall Street Journal reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and halt fighting within a week. According to the paper, Trump expects bombing of Iran to resume after November's midterm elections.
RastinewsU.S. President Donald Trump has rejected Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and halt regional fighting within seven days. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed U.S. officials, reported that Trump told aides he expects bombing to resume after November's congressional elections.
Plan relayed through Qatar
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters at the UN that the proposal was passed to Washington through Qatari mediators. Under the plan, he said, a seven-day countdown would begin once a deal was reached, the strait would reopen, and regional hostilities would pause.
The proposal called for lifting the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear talks. Araghchi said the plan covered an end to fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon.
He added that the decision rested with Washington, and that the Strait of Hormuz would not reopen until the plan's conditions were met.
Pezeshkian: No climate of trust
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in an interview with CBS News, said a climate of distrust had developed between the two countries. He said Washington was tightening sanctions and threatening Iran daily, and questioned whether the U.S. would honor any agreement.
War has raged since February
The war began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding in mid-June, but talks stalled and the U.S. later launched fresh strikes on targets inside Iran.
Trump, addressing the UN General Assembly this week, openly threatened to destroy Iran.