New Delhi: US President Donald Trump has rejected a seven-day ceasefire proposal from Iran and has told aides that he expects US bombing of Iran to resume after the November midterm elections, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials.
The report comes after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had conveyed a concrete seven-day plan to the United States through Qatar that could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of nuclear negotiations.
According to Araghchi, Iran is prepared to restore normal maritime passage through the strategic waterway within seven days if Washington accepts Tehran’s conditions. “The choice now rests with the United States,” he said, adding that Iran would not accept coercion or pressure.
The Iranian proposal calls for the United States to lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waive oil sanctions and observe a ceasefire that would include Lebanon. In return, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume negotiations on its nuclear programme, according to reports.
The proposal was discussed by Araghchi during a private gathering on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also said the ceasefire process could begin immediately once Washington accepts the proposal.
However, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that Trump had rejected the offer, citing US officials familiar with the matter. According to the report, Trump remains sceptical that Tehran would meet his demands and believes a renewed bombing campaign is likely after the November elections. The officials also said Trump was reluctant to resume major combat operations and that the scale of any future strikes remained unclear. They cautioned that his position could change.
The White House has said separately that US officials are engaged in what it described as positive and constructive conversations with mediators, suggesting that diplomatic channels remain open.
The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a central issue in the latest diplomatic efforts. The waterway is a critical route for global energy shipments, and its disruption has added pressure to oil markets and regional trade. The Iranian proposal specifically links its reopening to the lifting of the US naval blockade and a ceasefire.
The latest initiative bears similarities to a 14-point memorandum agreed between Washington and Tehran in June. The June agreement provided for an immediate cessation of military operations, including in Lebanon, and opened a 60-day period for negotiations on a final agreement. It also included provisions concerning the Strait of Hormuz, the US naval blockade, sanctions relief and Iran’s nuclear programme.
That agreement subsequently collapsed with Trump declaring the deal “over” on July 8. Tehran suspended the memorandum about a week later, accusing Washington of failing to honour its commitments. Iran has maintained that Washington reneged on commitments including lifting the blockade and other agreed measures, while Washington has accused Tehran of failing to fulfil its obligations concerning the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest proposal therefore represents another attempt to revive negotiations, but the reported rejection by Trump has cast uncertainty over whether a new ceasefire can be reached before the US midterm elections.
For now, the two sides remain publicly divided over the conditions for ending hostilities, Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions and control of the Strait of Hormuz. The report also noted that Trump’s position could change, leaving the timing and scope of any possible renewed US military action uncertain.
