US President Donald Trump has turned down Iran’s latest peace plan that aimed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and stop fighting across the region within seven days. According to a Wall Street Journal report based on unnamed American officials, Trump told his aides he expects to restart bombing after the November midterm elections.
Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shared the proposal with the United States through Qatari mediators during the United Nations meetings. He said that if Washington shows seriousness, the Strait of Hormuz could reopen and hostilities could pause on all fronts, including Lebanon. In return, Iran wants the US to lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports, release frozen funds, and ease oil sanctions. Araghchi stressed that even under a deal, Tehran would make no nuclear concessions.
A US official earlier described the discussions through mediators as positive and constructive. Yet Trump remains privately sceptical that Iran will meet his demands. The seven-month-old conflict began with American and Israeli strikes in late February and has already killed thousands while damaging Iran’s economy and conventional forces.
The fighting has spread widely. Iran and its allies have launched drones and missiles at US partners in the Gulf. Houthi fighters in Yemen have targeted Saudi interests, and Iranian-aligned groups in Iraq have been linked to attacks on oil pipelines. Hezbollah continues clashes with Israeli forces in Lebanon.
Regional partners are coordinating closely. Defence officials from Turkey and Pakistan met in Riyadh on Friday to discuss intelligence sharing and military cooperation under a joint defence pact with Saudi Arabia. The day before, foreign ministers from the three countries held talks within the Mecca Joint Defence Alliance framework.
The violence in Yemen has created a fresh humanitarian emergency. The United Nations children’s agency reported a sharp rise in acute malnutrition among children. Oil shipments through the critical Strait of Hormuz remain disrupted, keeping global energy markets under pressure.
Despite the diplomatic activity around the UN General Assembly, no breakthrough appears close. Trump’s reported readiness to resume strikes after the midterms suggests the conflict could intensify again unless both sides find new common ground soon.
