US President Donald Trump has rejected a proposal from Iran for a seven-day ceasefire and has told aides that he expects the United States to resume bombing Iran after the November midterm elections, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing US officials familiar with the matter.
According to the report, Iran’s proposal would involve reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and restarting negotiations over its nuclear program. In return, Tehran reportedly sought the lifting of Washington’s blockade on Iranian ports.
Trump has publicly indicated that Iran is interested in reaching a deal with the United States. However, US officials told the Journal that the president remains privately doubtful that Tehran would be willing or able to meet Washington’s demands concerning its nuclear activities.
The reported rejection of the ceasefire proposal comes amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran and uncertainty over the possibility of renewed US military action against Iran.
The scale and timing of any potential US strikes remain unclear. According to the officials cited by the Journal, Trump is reluctant to immediately launch major combat operations in part because the United States wants to conserve its dwindling stockpiles of military munitions for other possible conflicts or emergencies.
However, the president’s position could change in the coming weeks, the report said.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a particularly important point of concern because it is a major global energy transit route. Any prolonged disruption there could affect international oil supplies and contribute to higher energy prices.
The latest development underscores the uncertainty surrounding diplomatic efforts to resolve the dispute over Iran’s nuclear program. While Trump has publicly left open the possibility of an agreement, his reported private stance suggests that Washington remains unconvinced that Tehran is prepared to accept the conditions demanded by the US.
The Wall Street Journal’s report, based on US officials, did not indicate whether Iran would make further concessions or whether negotiations could resume if Washington’s position changes.
