Trump reportedly rejects Iranian plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump has reportedly rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz through a seven-day ceasefire, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cited US officials. The report claims Trump told aides he expects to resume a bombing campaign against Iran once the US midterm elections conclude in November. Trump later shared an image on Truth Social depicting the strait rebranded as the "Trump Strait."

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that if the necessary conditions were met, the strait could reopen and normal shipping traffic resume within seven days, adding that the decision now lies with Washington. He referenced June's memorandum of understanding between the two countries, saying the steps required of the US were already outlined there.

Details of the proposal

According to the Associated Press, Tehran has offered that if the US lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports, cancels sanctions on Iranian oil sales, and observes a ceasefire extending to Lebanon, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days and resume nuclear talks. Araghchi said the initial steps would take four to five days, the strait would reopen on day six, and negotiations toward a final agreement would begin on day seven.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told CBS that Tehran would honour all its commitments if the US accepted the seven-day plan. Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group said the offer was calculated to appeal to Trump ahead of the midterms, since it would end an unpopular conflict and lower energy prices while reviving an agreement largely favourable to Iran.

Diplomatic tensions

At the UN General Assembly, Pezeshkian said Iran was not afraid to continue the war but remained open to diplomacy. He met Qatar's prime minister on Friday, as Doha continues mediating between Washington and Tehran. However, divisions have surfaced within Iran's leadership, with lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei publicly criticising Araghchi's engagement with US representatives as a sign of weakness.