Trump rejects Tehran’s ceasefire proposal, report says

US President Donald Trump declined Tehran’s proposal for a seven-day ceasefire and expects to resume bombing Iran after the US midterm elections in November, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported.

Trump is skeptical about Iran’s willingness to meet his demands, the WSJ said, citing unidentified US officials.

The move again stymies a resolution in the seven-month conflict, which has seen off-and-on negotiations between Tehran and Washington break down numerous times.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrives for a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at UN headquarters in New York City on Friday.

Photo: Reuters

The two countries are still negotiating matters, including Iran’s nuclear program, through mediators, the WSJ reported. Washington has told Tehran and mediators that Trump does not intend to lift the maritime embargo, the newspaper said.

Trump’s views might evolve over the coming weeks and be affected by the midterms’ results, the WSJ added.

The publication said it could not determine the level of strikes Trump was considering over Iran.

US and Iranian negotiators had been exploring a phased deal that would see Tehran reopen the Strait of Hormuz and Washington lift its blockade of Iranian ports, a person familiar with the matter has said. The deal would have been similar to the memorandum of understanding the two countries had struck in mid-June, which led to a fragile ceasefire that collapsed weeks later.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, said his country would not allow freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz while sanctions and a US blockade remain in place. The Islamic Republic would not give up the right to develop nuclear technology for economic purposes either, he added.

Trump earlier this week said his officials had “very good” talks with Iranian envoys in New York, but the tone contrasted with his stance during his speech to the General Assembly, when he repeated threats to wipe out Iran unless its leaders come to an agreement.