Trump Rejected Iran's Ceasefire Offer
- 26.09.2026, 11:30
The U.S. is preparing to resume the bombings.
U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Tehran's proposal for a seven-day ceasefire and told his aides that he expects to resume bombing Iran after the midterm congressional elections in November. This was reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed U.S. officials. Previously, it was reported that the authorities of the Islamic Republic, whose ports are subject to a U.S. naval blockade, had offered Trump—through intermediaries—to resume shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and restart nuclear talks in exchange for lifting the blockade, which is causing serious damage to the country’s economy.
According to sources, Trump has privately expressed skepticism about Iran’s willingness to meet his demands for a complete abandonment of its nuclear program. He considers a resumption of airstrikes “highly likely,” the sources said. The scale of such strikes remains unclear. Trump’s position may change as the conflict drags on in the coming weeks, as well as under the influence of the midterm election results. Nevertheless, both sides continue to negotiate a range of issues, including Tehran’s nuclear program, through intermediaries, and Washington has told Tehran that Trump does not intend to lift the maritime embargo, the sources said.
The U.S. believes that economic pressure will ultimately force Iran to sign an agreement on terms favorable to Washington and the Arab states of the Persian Gulf.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Tehran had proposed to Washington that, “subject to certain conditions,” resume shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in a week and resume negotiations on a final settlement of the conflict. The proposal is based on a June memorandum of understanding. It is expected that the U.S. would lift the blockade of Iranian ports, unfreeze Tehran’s frozen assets, and lift oil sanctions.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, stated that his country would not allow freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as long as U.S. sanctions and the blockade remain in place. He also added that Iran will not renounce its right to develop nuclear technology for economic purposes.