Trump rejects Iran's seven-day ceasefire proposal, WSJ reports

Dave Sebastian, Bloomberg News on Sep 26, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump declined Tehran’s proposal for a seven-day ceasefire and expects to resume bombing Iran after the U.S. midterm elections in November, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Trump is skeptical about Iran’s willingness to meet his demands, WSJ said, citing unidentified U.S. officials. The move again stymies a resolution in the seven-month conflict, which has seen off-and-on negotiations between Tehran and Washington break down numerous times.

The two countries are still negotiating matters, including Iran’s nuclear program, through mediators, the WSJ reported. Washington has told Tehran and mediators that Trump doesn’t intend to lift the maritime embargo, the newspaper said.

Trump’s views may evolve over the coming weeks and be affected by the midterms’ results, the WSJ added. The publication said it couldn’t determine the level of strikes Trump was considering over Iran.

U.S. and Iranian negotiators had been exploring a phased deal that would see Tehran reopen the Strait of Hormuz and Washington lift its blockade of Iranian ports, a person familiar with the matter has said. The deal would have been similar to the memorandum of understanding the two countries had struck in mid-June, which led to a fragile ceasefire that collapsed weeks later.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, said his country wouldn’t allow freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz while sanctions and a U.S. blockade remain in place. The Islamic Republic wouldn’t give up the right to develop nuclear technology for economic purposes either, he added.

Trump earlier this week said his officials had “very good” talks with Iranian envoys in New York. But the tone contrasted with his stance during his speech to the General Assembly, when he repeated threats to wipe out Iran unless its leaders come to an agreement.