US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s proposed seven-day ceasefire, according to The Wall Street Journal. According to the publication, Tehran had offered the agreement in exchange for the lifting of the US embargo, but Washington did not accept these terms. Trump believes that following the mid-term elections in November, the US may resume strikes against Iran.
Briefly about the main points
- Trump has rejected Tehran’s seven-day plan, according to the WSJ.
- Iran linked the agreement to the lifting of the US embargo.
- The proposal involved opening the Strait of Hormuz.
- Washington is maintaining the embargo as a means of exerting economic pressure.
What Tehran proposed
Iran had proposed opening Strait of Hormuz and to resume negotiations on its nuclear programme. The condition was the lifting of the US blockade. According to Reuters, the plan was conveyed to the US via Qatar; the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described it as specific and stated that the decision now lay with Washington.
The US maintains the embargo whilst engaging in indirect contacts
US officials told the WSJ that Trump doubts Iran’s willingness to comply with US demands. The US administration has no plans to lift the maritime embargo, in the hope that economic pressure will persuade Tehran to agree to its terms.
Despite the rejection of the proposed plan, negotiations through intermediaries are continuing.
