US Media: Trump Reportedly Rejects Iran's 7-Day Plan, Weighs Resuming Bombing After Midterm Elections

Odaily News: US officials said President Donald Trump has rejected Iran's proposed seven-day ceasefire plan and told his aides that he expects to resume bombing Iran after the November midterm elections. Tehran's proposal was that if the United States lifts its blockade of Iranian ports, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear negotiations. But according to officials, privately, Trump is skeptical about whether Iran will meet his demands and has told his staff that 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 United States wants to reserve its dwindling munitions for other contingencies.

A US official said Washington and Tehran are still negotiating through mediators, including on nuclear issues. The official also said that US-led efforts to ensure tankers can pass through the Strait of Hormuz despite Iranian threats have reduced the urgency of reaching an agreement. Officials familiar with the matter revealed that the United States has told Iran and the mediators that Trump has no intention of lifting the maritime embargo. The United States believes that economic pressure will eventually force Tehran to sign an agreement favorable to Washington and the Arab states along the Persian Gulf. (Wall Street Journal)