Trump ‘rejects’ Iran’s seven-day ceasefire proposal. What’s next? — SkimNews
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- Trump rejected Iran's seven-day proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — through which one-fifth of global oil and gas is shipped during peacetime — per unnamed US officials cited by The Wall Street Journal.
- Iran's proposal, presented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, calls for releasing $12bn in frozen Iranian assets, lifting oil sanctions, ending the US naval blockade, and ceasing hostilities in Lebanon, with negotiations on a 'final deal' to begin on day seven.
- Trump told aides he expects to carry out a new bombing campaign against Iran after the US midterm elections in November, while also saying he believes a deal will come shortly after the midterms.
- Qatar is acting as intermediary at the UN General Assembly, with US special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff holding mediated discussions with Iranian counterparts; a US official called the ongoing mediated talks 'positive and constructive.'
- Late Friday, Trump posted a map labeled 'Trump Strait' on Truth Social and has previously said the US has 'total control' over the waterway, threatening to designate it as US territory — a claim Iran rejects.
- The US has not publicly responded to the plan, with one official telling Al Jazeera that Washington is 'in no hurry' and sees itself in a 'strong position' on the strait, while Iran refuses to discuss its nuclear programme until its conditions are met.
- Georgetown analyst Paul Musgrave told Al Jazeera that Trump 'doesn't want to end the war on unfavourable terms' and that severe Republican midterm losses could push Trump toward 'unilateral actions, including perhaps a resumption of warfare.'
Why it matters: The Strait of Hormuz — through which one-fifth of global oil and gas flows — remains closed after Trump's rejection, while Tehran ties any nuclear deal to $12bn in frozen-asset releases and sanctions relief. With Trump reportedly planning a post-midterm bombing campaign, the only diplomatic off-ramp is the Qatar-mediated channel, which now must hold until at least November.
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