Trump rejects Iran's 7-day plan, considers resuming bombing after midterm elections

BlockBeats news, September 26, according to The Wall Street Journal, U.S. officials said President Trump has rejected Iran's proposal for a seven-day ceasefire plan and told aides he expects to resume bombing Iran after the November midterm elections. Tehran's proposal was that if the U.S. lifts its blockade of Iranian ports, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear negotiations. But privately, according to officials, Trump is skeptical that Iran will meet his demands and has told his staff he believes a new round of bombing is likely. It is not yet possible to determine the scale of the airstrikes Trump is considering.

These officials said he is reluctant to restart large-scale combat operations, partly because the U.S. wants to save its dwindling munitions for other contingencies. One U.S. official said Washington and Tehran are still negotiating through mediators, including on nuclear issues. The official also said that the U.S.-led effort to ensure tankers can pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite Iranian threats has reduced the urgency of reaching a deal. Officials familiar with the matter revealed that the U.S. has told Iran and mediators that Trump has no intention of lifting the maritime embargo. The U.S. believes economic pressure will eventually force Tehran to sign an agreement favorable to Washington and the Arab states along the Persian Gulf.