The Wall Street Journal reports President Trump rejected a seven-day ceasefire
proposal from Iran and told aides he expects to resume air strikes after the
U.S. midterm elections. Iran offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume
nuclear talks if the U.S. lifted its blockade of Iranian ports; officials say
Trump is privately skeptical Iran would comply. U.S. officials say the scale of
any strike remains undecided and that Trump is reluctant to restart large-scale
operations partly to conserve dwindling munitions for other contingencies.
Washington and Tehran continue mediated talks, including on nuclear issues, but
U.S.-led efforts to keep tankers transiting despite Iranian threats have reduced
the urgency for a deal. U.S. officials have told Iran and mediators Trump does
not intend to lift the maritime embargo and expect economic pressure will
eventually secure an agreement favorable to Washington and Gulf Arab states.
