Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
U.S. President Donald Trump has rejected an Iranian proposal that would have imposed a temporary ceasefire, reopened the Strait of Hormuz and restarted negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program, according to U.S. officials cited by The Wall Street Journal. The reported decision has raised fears that the conflict could intensify after the November midterm elections, with Washington considering a renewed bombing campaign if diplomatic efforts fail.
The Iranian plan was presented through intermediaries during diplomatic contacts on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the proposal would allow commercial shipping to resume through the strategic waterway within seven days, provided that the United States ended its naval blockade of Iranian ports, eased restrictions on Iranian oil exports and accepted a broader halt to hostilities across the region.
The plan also called for the resumption of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. Iranian officials have described the proposal as a pathway toward implementing an earlier memorandum of understanding reached between Washington and Tehran, although the two sides have sharply different interpretations of that agreement.
Iran considers control over the Strait of Hormuz a central element of its military and diplomatic strategy. The waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Indian Ocean, making it one of the most important routes for global energy shipments. Any prolonged disruption has the potential to affect oil prices, insurance costs, shipping schedules and the wider global economy.
Iranian officials have argued that reopening the strait would be possible if Washington recognized Tehran’s security concerns and ended military pressure on the country. U.S. officials, however, have questioned whether Iran would guarantee unrestricted passage for commercial vessels and comply with broader demands concerning its nuclear activities.
Trump confirmed publicly that he had rejected the Iranian proposal, saying Tehran wanted to reopen the waterway because it was suffering major military setbacks. He has also maintained that Iran must not acquire a nuclear weapon. In a statement posted on social media, the president repeated his warning that Iran could not be allowed to develop such a capability.
The Wall Street Journal report said Trump had told aides that he expected U.S. bombing operations to resume after the November elections. The report also indicated that the president remained reluctant to commit immediately to a large-scale military campaign and that his position could change depending on diplomatic developments and the political outcome in the United States.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged Washington to accept the proposal before the elections. In an interview with CBS News, he said Tehran was prepared to begin implementing the arrangement as soon as the United States agreed to its terms. Pezeshkian also said Iran did not seek to build a nuclear weapon and indicated that Tehran would allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to return to the country.
His comments reflected the deep mistrust between the two governments. Iranian officials say previous commitments were undermined when the United States maintained its naval pressure and failed to provide the economic relief Tehran expected. Washington, meanwhile, has questioned whether Iranian guarantees would be enforceable and whether the country would permit meaningful inspections of its nuclear facilities.
The Revolutionary Guard has presented the conflict in markedly different terms from the diplomatic statements issued by Pezeshkian and Araghchi. In messages reported by Iranian outlets, the organization described Iran as the victorious side and claimed that it maintained control over the Strait of Hormuz. The Guard said it intended to transform what it called a wartime victory into a permanent strategic deterrent.
That position is consistent with assessments that Tehran views the waterway not only as a commercial route but also as a source of political leverage. Analysts have said that any arrangement allowing Iran to manage or restrict maritime traffic could provide the country with influence over global trade and strengthen its negotiating position against the United States and Israel.
The confrontation has already affected shipping. A commercial vessel was recently struck in the strait, killing one crew member and forcing the evacuation of 27 others by Oman’s navy. The incident further increased concerns among shipping companies, many of which remain cautious about sending vessels through the waterway even when passage is technically available.
Fighting has also continued in southern Lebanon. Israeli forces reportedly carried out artillery and air strikes around Nabatieh and in the Tyre district, while Lebanese state media reported shelling near Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Zautar al-Sharqiya, Wadi Zibqin, Haris and Hadatha. The reports included allegations that phosphorus shells were used near Nabatieh al-Fawqa and Zautar al-Sharqiya.
Those allegations could not be independently verified from the available reports. Previous investigations by human rights organizations have documented the use of white phosphorus in parts of southern Lebanon and warned that its deployment near populated areas can cause severe burns, respiratory injuries and fires. International humanitarian law does not prohibit every use of white phosphorus, but it restricts its use where civilians and civilian infrastructure may be exposed to indiscriminate harm.
With negotiations stalled, the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz remains the central obstacle to a broader settlement. Iran is seeking relief from the blockade, sanctions and military pressure, while the United States is demanding assurances over maritime access and Tehran’s nuclear program. Unless the two sides reconcile those competing priorities, the possibility of renewed airstrikes after the U.S. elections will remain a serious threat to regional stability.
