WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has indicated that the United States could launch another bombing campaign against Iran after the midterm elections, while rejecting an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for commercial shipping within seven days.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Iran was seeking an immediate agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz because, in his assessment, it had suffered significant losses in the war.
Trump rejected the Iranian proposal, saying the United States already had full control over the Strait of Hormuz and that large quantities of oil were continuing to pass through the waterway.
He said Iran wanted to reach an agreement and that he was also interested in making a deal, but described Tehran’s proposal as unacceptable.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran had conveyed a seven-day ceasefire proposal to the United States through Qatar.
Under the proposal, he said, the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened within seven days if Washington agreed to the ceasefire plan.