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WSJ: Trump Rejects Iran’s ‘7-Day Ceasefire’ Proposal, Signals Airstrikes May Resume After Midterms
Summary
- Trump is said to have rejected Iran’s ‘7-day ceasefire’ proposal and signaled the possibility of resuming airstrikes after the midterm elections.
- Iran said it proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restarting nuclear talks on the condition that the maritime blockade be lifted, the U.S. grant waivers on sanctions on Iranian crude, and frozen assets be released.
- Iran’s frozen assets are estimated at at least $12 billion, and whether airstrikes actually resume may depend on future mediation talks and Tehran’s response.
Forecast Trend Report by Period
President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s proposed "7-day ceasefire" and signaled that airstrikes against the country could resume after the November midterm elections, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The Journal, citing U.S. officials, reported on Sept. 25 that Trump declined to accept Tehran’s ceasefire offer and told aides he expected bombing operations against Iran to resume after the midterms. He is also skeptical that Iran will meet U.S. demands.
Iran proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days and resuming nuclear talks if the U.S. lifts its maritime blockade. Tehran also demanded waivers on U.S. sanctions on Iranian crude, the release of frozen assets and a ceasefire across regional fronts including Lebanon.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in New York during the United Nations General Assembly that Tehran had conveyed the plan to Washington through mediating countries. If the necessary conditions are met, Iran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz on the seventh day and restart negotiations. Iran’s frozen assets are estimated at at least $12 billion.
The gap between the two sides remains wide. The U.S. position is that Iran must first restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and begin negotiations on dismantling its nuclear program. Iran, by contrast, says Washington must first lift the maritime blockade and sanctions. Trump has publicly argued that Iran will ultimately seek a post-midterm deal that includes scrapping its nuclear program.
The U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in June covering a halt in hostilities, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of nuclear negotiations. But the talks have effectively collapsed after armed clashes resumed amid disputes over the terms of the agreement and the order of implementation.
Trump has recently claimed Iran is deliberately delaying negotiations in hopes Republicans lose the midterm elections. In a Sept. 22 speech at the U.N. General Assembly, he said he expected an agreement with Iran after the midterms. Whether airstrikes actually resume may depend on future mediation talks and Iran’s response.
