Iran Proposes 7-Day Ceasefire to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Before U.S. Midterms

Iran has presented the United States with a seven-day proposal aimed at reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and resuming broader peace negotiations, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi. The offer, delivered to U.S. mediators this week, mirrors significant portions of the fourteen-point Memorandum of Understanding signed between President Donald Trump and Iranian leaders in June.

The foreign minister stated that if specific conditions within the proposal are satisfied, the naval chokepoint would be opened following the seven-day period, paving the way for final agreement talks. This diplomatic move aligns with remarks from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who expressed a desire to finalize a deal before the November U.S. midterm elections.

“We don’t want it to get to the midterm elections,” Pezeshkian told journalists on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He urged Americans to return to the June memorandum, noting that the previous ceasefire collapsed after Iran accused the U.S. of violating the deal by maintaining a naval blockade.

President Trump has suggested that Iran is waiting to see the election results before committing to an agreement, stating the country will make a deal “right after the election.” However, Pezeshkian denied any intent to assassinate Trump or members of his family, adding that Tehran remains open to inspections of its nuclear facilities.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced widespread walkouts during his address to the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday. Dozens of delegations left the chamber as Netanyahu defended Israel’s military actions against Iran and across the Middle East. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi criticized the speech, stating that the mass exits “spoke louder than any speech” and accusing Netanyahu of using the podium to justify aggression.

In a separate development regarding the conflict, sources told CBS News that U.S. troops struck by Iranian drones at a Kuwaiti port could have been moved to safer positions in western Saudi Arabia prior to the attack. The commander of the 103rd Sustainment Command, Brig. Gen. Clint Barnes, rejected plans to relocate personnel to Logistical Support Area Jenkins near Yanbu or Prince Sultan Air Force Base near Riyadh, despite intelligence warnings. Instead, the unit remained at Port of Shuaiba, a location used during a previous deployment.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the current diplomacy as cautious, noting no breakthroughs have yet occurred, while envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner continue shuttle negotiations.