United States President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s proposal to reopen the conflict-hit Strait of Hormuz and halt fighting across the Middle East within seven days, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing unnamed US officials.
The development came after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters at the United Nations that Tehran had conveyed its peace proposal to Washington through Qatari mediators. Under the proposal, reopening the strategically important waterway would follow a seven-day countdown linked to a pause in regional fighting.
“If there is seriousness on the US side to come to a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, everything is now prepared,” Araghchi said.
The latest diplomatic push comes amid a prolonged conflict that has severely disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
Trump Reportedly Sceptical Of Iran Deal
According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump has privately expressed doubts that Iran would meet his demands. The report also said the US President told aides that he expects a renewed bombing campaign to be likely after the November midterm elections.
The report contrasts with earlier signals from Washington that diplomatic channels remained open. A US official had told Reuters that Washington and Tehran were engaged in “positive and constructive discussions through the mediators”.
As of Saturday, September 26, Iran was waiting for an official response from Washington to its proposal.
The diplomatic efforts surrounding the United Nations General Assembly in New York highlight the international stakes involved in the conflict, particularly because of the importance of the Strait of Hormuz to global energy supplies.
What Is Iran’s Seven-Day Proposal?
Under Tehran’s proposal, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and hostilities would end across all fronts, including Lebanon. Araghchi said the move could then pave the way for broader negotiations on subjects agreed upon by both sides.
In return, Iran is seeking several measures from the United States. These include lifting the blockade on Iranian ports, releasing frozen Iranian funds and waiving US oil sanctions.
The proposal represents another attempt to establish a diplomatic pathway after previous efforts failed to bring a lasting end to the fighting.
Conflict Has Spread Across West Asia
The war began on February 28 with coordinated US and Israeli strikes, according to the source material. Since then, the conflict has moved through periods of pauses and renewed attacks, resulting in thousands of deaths while weakening Iran’s conventional military capabilities and putting further pressure on its economy.
Iran and groups aligned with Tehran have also retaliated across the region. Iranian forces have launched drones and missiles at US allies in the Gulf, while the Houthis in Yemen have targeted Saudi interests.
Iranian-backed militias in Iraq were also blamed for a pipeline attack that temporarily reduced Saudi oil supplies reaching the market.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah, which is aligned with Iran, has continued fighting Israeli forces in Lebanon, adding another front to an already wider regional conflict.
With Iran awaiting Washington’s formal response, attention is now focused on whether the latest proposal can revive diplomacy or whether the conflict will again move towards renewed military action.
