US President Donald Trump rejected Iran's seven-day ceasefire proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz, noting that he expects the US military's bombing campaign to resume after the midterm elections, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.
The report comes following comments by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that the deal in question, which calls for steps including the lifting of a US naval blockade on Iranian ports, "would be much better if it is done before the midterm election."
"It depends on the US administration to decide," said Araghchi in comments to reporters at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday.
Araghchi reiterated to reporters at the United Nations on Friday that the “choice rests with the US” to accept and implement Iran’s proposed seven-day plan.
He added that the Strait of Hormuz would not reopen until the plan’s conditions were fulfilled. “Iran will not surrender its sovereign rights under pressure,” Araghchi said.
US having positive, constructive indirect discussions with Iran, US official says
A US official said on Friday that the United States is having positive, constructive discussions with Iran through mediators and continues to discuss nuclear issues.
Earlier on Friday, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran will show no flexibility over its nuclear program even if the US accepts its proposal.
Tzvi Jasper and Reuters contributed to this report.