US President Donald Trump has reportedly told aides he expects to resume bombing Iran after November’s congressional elections, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the seven-month conflict.
The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed US officials, reported Trump had rejected Tehran’s proposal for a seven-day pause in fighting that would see the Strait of Hormuz reopened.
The extent of any potential renewed bombing campaign remains unclear, with officials saying Trump is reluctant to resume combat operations partly because the US wants to preserve dwindling munitions for other contingencies.
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Under the proposal, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and halt hostilities across the region, including in Lebanon, as part of a proposed seven-day plan.
In return, Tehran is seeking the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports, the release of frozen Iranian funds, and the removal of sanctions on its oil exports.
The plan would also allow wider negotiations on mutually agreed issues, including Iran’s nuclear program.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday the country had communicated its peace plan to the US through Qatari mediators.
“If there is seriousness on the US side to come to a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, everything is now prepared,” Araqchi said.
A US official told Reuters Washington and Tehran were having “positive and constructive discussions through the mediators”.
However, the US has told Iran and regional mediators that Trump has no intention of lifting the maritime blockade, according to officials cited by the Wall Street Journal.
The US believes economic pressure will eventually force Tehran to accept an agreement on terms favourable to Washington and its Gulf allies.
The report said an American-led effort to ensure oil tankers could continue sailing through the Strait of Hormuz had also reduced the urgency for a deal.
The waterway is one of the world’s oil shipping routes, and its disruption has sent shockwaves through global energy markets.
The conflict began on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes on Iran and has since alternated between periods of reduced fighting and renewed attacks, killing thousands and damaging Iran’s economy.
Iran and its allies have retaliated with attacks across the region, including strikes on US allies in the Gulf and continued fighting between Hezbollah and Israeli forces in Lebanon.
Trump has repeatedly declared victory in the conflict while alternating between diplomatic efforts, military action and economic sanctions.
He has insisted the upcoming US midterm elections will not influence his approach to Iran, despite reportedly aides he expects to resume bombing after the vote.
“The Republican Party is running, and I’ll be helping them, but I am not running. I gave absolutely no credence and will not give credence through the election when it comes to Iran,” he told world leaders during the annual General Assembly in New York.
“The only thing that does is that Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.”
Trump has also told Republicans to pretend he is on the ballot when they head to the polls.