President Donald Trump reportedly rejected Iran’s latest proposal and told aides he expects U.S. bombing to resume after November’s midterm elections.
The Wall Street Journal broke the news on Friday night, citing U.S. officials.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi outlined Tehran’s proposal this week at the United Nations General Assembly.
AraghchI said the plan would begin once the U.S. accepted it, with initial steps taking four or five days and the Strait of Hormuz reopening on the sixth day.
Araghchi said talks with the U.S. on Iran’s nuclear program would begin on the seventh day. He said the proposal was intended to lead to a final agreement on mutually agreed subjects.
The White House has not publicly announced whether it has formally responded to the proposal. The WJJ reported Trump remains skeptical that Tehran will meet U.S. demands.
The prospect of renewed strikes would prolong a conflict that has already unsettled energy markets and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which is a major oil route.
Trump has repeatedly linked the prospect of a deal with Iran to the midterm elections, saying earlier this month that he expected the war to end after the vote. He has also said Iran must abandon its nuclear ambitions or face further military action.
Iran has rejected U.S. demands to relinquish what it calls its sovereign nuclear rights.
