US President Donald Trump has rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and halt fighting across the region within seven days, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed US officials.
The report said Trump had told aides that he expects US bombing of Iran to resume after the November congressional elections. Reuters said it could not immediately independently confirm the Wall Street Journal report.
The development came as Iran sought to revive diplomatic efforts surrounding the conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had conveyed a concrete seven-day proposal to Washington through Qatar.
Iran offers seven-day roadmap
Under Tehran’s proposal, the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened to normal maritime traffic within seven days after the United States accepts the plan.
Araghchi said the proposal would also include an end to hostilities across the region, including in Lebanon. In return, Iran is seeking the lifting of the US naval blockade of its ports, the release of frozen Iranian funds and the removal of sanctions affecting its oil exports.
“If there is seriousness on the US side to come to a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, everything is now prepared,” Araghchi said.
Iran has said the seven-day timetable would begin once Washington accepts the proposal, with the reopening of the strategic waterway following the implementation of the initial measures.
A US official previously told Reuters that Washington and Tehran were engaged in “positive and constructive discussions” through mediators. However, the Wall Street Journal report said Trump remained privately sceptical that Iran would meet his demands.
Trump threatens Iran with annihilation as UN diplomacy continues
Nuclear issue remains unresolved
Iranian officials have indicated that Tehran would not make concessions on its nuclear programme as part of the proposed arrangement.
The latest initiative follows an earlier diplomatic understanding between Washington and Tehran that sought to end hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restart negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme. That effort subsequently collapsed.
The Strait of Hormuz has remained a central issue in the conflict because of its importance to global energy shipments. Disruptions in the waterway have affected oil flows and heightened concerns over energy supplies and prices.
Regional conflict adds pressure
The conflict has also spread across several parts of the Middle East, involving Iran and allied groups.
Iran has launched drone and missile attacks against US allies in the Gulf, while Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have targeted Saudi interests. Hezbollah has also remained involved in hostilities with Israel in Lebanon.
The wider regional tensions have prompted increased military coordination among US and Saudi partners. Defence officials from Turkey and Pakistan met in Riyadh on Friday to discuss the security situation, intelligence cooperation and military coordination, according to Saudi authorities.
The diplomatic efforts at the United Nations General Assembly in New York come amid continued fighting and a worsening humanitarian situation in parts of the region.
The UN children’s agency said Friday that the renewed violence in Yemen had contributed to a new humanitarian crisis, including rising levels of acute malnutrition among children.
