Trump Rejects Iran's 7-Day Ceasefire Proposal Amid Election Considerations
President Donald Trump has rejected Iran's proposal for a 7-day ceasefire, reportedly considering a resumption of attacks post-November elections. This marks a shift from his previous acceptance of ceasefire offers.
President Donald Trump said on Saturday, September 26, that he had rejected the latest proposal from Iran, which was conveyed to the United States through indirect negotiations in New York earlier in the week. "They have made a proposal and I rejected it," Trump told reporters, without detailing his objections.
What Iran offered
According to reports, Iran's proposal centered on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending hostilities within seven days, in exchange for an end to the U.S. naval blockade of the waterway. Iran raised the initiative at the UN General Assembly, saying it had been transmitted to Washington via Qatari mediators. The Trump administration has instead demanded that Iran agree to nuclear concessions as part of any deal, a gap that reports say remains wide despite continued mediation efforts by Qatar and other regional powers.
What's next
A U.S. official said "positive and constructive" discussions were still ongoing between American and Iranian envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, through Qatari mediators. Trump is reported to be skeptical that Iran would honor a ceasefire and is said to be weighing renewed military strikes after the November midterm elections should talks fail to produce a broader agreement.
