Trump Rejects Iran’s Ceasefire Offer as Conflict Stalls

President Donald Trump has reportedly rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, according to unnamed US officials cited by The Wall Street Journal. The refusal comes shortly after Iran unveiled a roadmap for restoring normal maritime passage through the critical waterway, which carries one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas during peacetime. This development follows just days after Trump threatened to “annihilate” Iran during his address to the UN General Assembly.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi outlined the proposal on Friday, stating it requires the United States to fulfill commitments under the failed June 17 Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on an accelerated timeline. According to Araghchi, these conditions include the release of $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets, the lifting of oil sanctions, and the end of the naval blockade on Iranian ports. He further insisted that all hostilities, including those in Lebanon where Israeli forces currently occupy parts of the south, must cease during the seven-day period.

Araghchi indicated that once US conditions were met, which he estimated would take four or five days, the strait could be reopened. Negotiations toward a “final deal” would commence on the seventh day. “The choice now rests with the United States,” Araghchi stated. “Iran does not accept coercion, threats or intimidation.”

Washington has not issued an official public response, but reports suggest Trump quickly dismissed the plan due to skepticism over Iran’s willingness to comply with US demands. Trump’s primary requirements remain that Iran never acquire nuclear weapons and that free passage in Hormuz be restored. However, Tehran maintains it will not discuss its nuclear program until its specified conditions are met, creating a stalemate.

A US official told Al Jazeera that Washington is in no rush to respond, asserting that the US maintains a strong position regarding the strait. Recently, Trump posted a map on his Truth Social platform labeling the area the “Trump Strait,” continuing rhetoric in which he has claimed “total control” over the waterway and considered designating it US territory. Iran has firmly denied any loss of control.

Despite the rejection of the immediate proposal, indirect peace negotiations continue. Qatar has been acting as an intermediary at the UN General Assembly in New York, facilitating dialogue between the two nations. A US official described ongoing mediated talks as “positive and constructive,” and Trump earlier praised discussions with Iranian counterparts as “very good.”

However, Thomas Warrick, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, noted “an enormous amount of scepticism in Washington” regarding whether both sides are aligned. He suggested the offer might still lead to further discussions to clarify which preconditions Washington could accept.

The conflict may head toward renewed hostilities. WSJ-reported officials claim Trump expects to launch a new bombing campaign against Iran after the November midterm elections. This aligns with Trump’s earlier comment at the UN that he was considering whether to “annihilate” Iran if no deal was reached.

Paul Musgrave, an associate professor at Georgetown University in Qatar, observed that Trump aims to avoid ending the war on unfavorable terms and that the election results will likely guide his policy. Musgrave warned that if the Republican party suffers significant losses, such as losing its congressional majority, Trump might opt for unilateral actions, including a resumption of warfare. Such a move could deliver a political blow to the president, potentially triggering short-term escalation before negotiations resume to avoid the appearance of surrender.