Middle East Crisis Iran War

Trump confirms: Rejection of Iran’s seven-day plan

Donald Trump confirms reports from *Wall Street Journal* sources that he has rejected Iran’s seven-day plan to open the Strait of Hormuz.

"They came with a proposal, but I dismissed it," he told reporters, according to *The Guardian*.

According to WSJ sources within the administration, Trump has told his aides that he plans to bomb Iran again after the midterm elections in early November.

Iran’s proposal entailed a total ceasefire in the Middle East for seven days, the lifting of the US blockade, the release of frozen Iranian funds, and the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil.

In return, Iran would open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping on the seventh day and initiate new talks with the US regarding the country’s nuclear program.

On Friday evening, Trump posted an image on Truth Social referring to the Strait of Hormuz as the "Trump Strait."

Analysis: Iran gained more than expected from New York visit

Iran got more out of its visit to the UN General Assembly than anticipated, writes Mostafa Salem in a CNN analysis. Before the eyes of the world, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was able to broadcast messages such as the country never "bowing" to the Americans.

"Despite the significant risk of political missteps, the Iranian representatives carried out a visit that was well-received at home, revived diplomatic contacts with their adversary, and conveyed to the outside world that the country had survived," writes Mostafa Salem. Writing in *Foreign Affairs*, Michael C. Horowitz notes that few expected Iran to hold out this long.

"But more than six months later, the Iranian regime is not only intact; it is perhaps stronger than before."

However, not everything went Iran’s way during the visit. Iranian negotiators reportedly proposed opening the Strait of Hormuz immediately in exchange for lifting the naval blockade and sanctions—an offer the White House reportedly rejected.

"Both sides are currently locked in a test of wills over who can live with the status quo the longest," concludes Mostafa Salem.

White House’s new map-based threat against Iran: "Trump Strait"

US President Donald Trump has published a map renaming the Strait of Hormuz "Trump Strait," the AP reports. The map was posted on Truth Social on Friday evening but contained no further information.

However, this marks Trump’s first reaction following reports that the White House rejected Iran’s truce proposal. According to the AP, the map image may symbolize the president’s post-war plan for the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran and the US held negotiations on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this week. Iranian negotiators reportedly proposed opening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, provided the US lifted its naval blockade and released frozen assets.

White House negotiators described the talks as constructive but reportedly refused to agree to the terms, according to the *Wall Street Journal*.

This is not the first time the US president has used altered maps to communicate. He has previously posted images, among other things, in which Greenland appears to belong to the United States.