US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran's 7-day ceasefire proposal and told his aides that he expects US strikes on Iran to resume after the midterm elections in November.
Modern.az reports that “The Wall Street Journal” (WSJ) reported this, citing US officials.
The plan proposed by Tehran envisages a phased cessation of hostilities, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the resumption of negotiations on Iran's nuclear program.
In return, Iran wants the US to lift the naval blockade imposed on the country's ports, ease restrictions on oil exports, and release a portion of frozen assets.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that the first measures within the framework of the agreement should be implemented within 4-5 days. On the sixth day, Iran is ready to open the Strait of Hormuz for normal shipping. On the seventh day, the parties should begin discussions on a final agreement regarding the nuclear program.
According to Araqchi, Tehran's proposals were conveyed to the US through mediators, including Qatar.
However, according to sources, the Trump administration does not intend to lift the naval blockade. Washington believes that continued economic pressure could force Tehran to sign an agreement on terms acceptable to the US and its allies in the Persian Gulf.
Meanwhile, US and Iranian representatives continue to exchange proposals through mediators.
Trump openly states that Iran is trying to reach an agreement after the midterm elections and agree to completely dismantle its nuclear program. At the same time, US officials say the president is skeptical that Tehran is ready to meet his demands and has spoken to his aides about the possibility of bombings resuming after the elections.
However, the scale of a possible new military operation is not yet known.
According to WSJ sources, Trump does not want to restart large-scale military operations. One of the reasons for this is to preserve increasingly dwindling ammunition reserves for other possible conflicts.
The publication's interlocutors also stated that the US president's position could change in the coming weeks.
