The US president has reportedly rejected Tehran’s seven-day ceasefire proposal and is skeptical that it will meet his demands
US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s latest ceasefire proposal and told aides that he expects to resume bombing the Islamic Republic after the November midterm election, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing US officials.
Trump is privately skeptical that Tehran will agree to his terms despite publicly predicting that Iran will seek a deal following the November 3 election, according to the newspaper. Officials cautioned, however, that his position could change over the coming weeks and could be affected by the election results.
The report comes after Tehran offered a seven-day roadmap to end the hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and restart negotiations over its nuclear program. In return, the US would lift its naval blockade, ease sanctions on Iranian oil exports, and release some frozen Iranian assets.
According to the WSJ, Trump has rejected the proposal and the administration has informed Iran and regional mediators that he has no intention of lifting the maritime blockade. A US official nevertheless said negotiations through mediators are continuing.
Trump is reportedly reluctant to return to major combat operations, in part because his administration wants to preserve munitions for other potential conflicts. The extent of any new strikes under consideration remains unclear.
The president has alternated between threats of major escalation and diplomatic overtures during the nearly seven-month conflict. Officials told Axios that the US is maintaining its regional military presence in preparation for a potential return to major combat operations.
At the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump said he faces a “big decision” over whether to “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if negotiations fail. He has denied that his decisions on Iran are being driven by the election, despite predicting that Tehran will strike a deal “right after” the midterms.
Tehran has disputed Trump’s suggestion that it is deliberately delaying an agreement. President Masoud Pezeshkian said this week that Iran wants the US to return to the June ceasefire framework whenever it is genuinely ready for peace. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said it would be better to reach an agreement before the election.
The June memorandum of understanding provided for gradual sanctions relief and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz while the two sides negotiate outstanding issues, but collapsed amid renewed hostilities and disputes over shipping through the strategic waterway.
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