Iran Awaits US Response After Report Says Trump Rejected Peace Plan

Iran is waiting for an official US response to its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end fighting across the Middle East, after the Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump had rejected the offer. Iran raised the plan at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, saying it was sent to the Americans through Qatari mediators and could reopen the waterway and halt regional fighting within seven days. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said everything is now prepared if the US shows real seriousness about a deal, and that wider talks on mutually agreed subjects, potentially including Iran’s nuclear program, could follow.

Iran’s Position on Nuclear Program and Sanctions

A senior Iranian official said Iran will show no flexibility on its nuclear program even if the US accepts the peace deal, ruling out concessions on uranium enrichment or shipping enriched uranium out of the country. The plan would also require the US to lift its blockade on Iranian ports, release frozen Iranian funds and waive oil sanctions. A US official had earlier called the mediated discussions positive and constructive, but the Journal report said Trump was privately skeptical Iran would meet his demands and told staff he sees a renewed bombing campaign as likely.

Seven-Month War and Regional Escalation

The war began on February 28 with US and Israeli attacks and has since cycled between pauses and renewed strikes, killing thousands and damaging Iran’s economy and conventional forces. Iran and its allies have widened the conflict: Iran has struck US allies in the Gulf, Houthi allies in Yemen have targeted Saudi interests, Iranian-aligned militias in Iraq were blamed for a pipeline attack, and Hezbollah remains engaged with Israeli forces in Lebanon. Araqchi briefed Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan on an Iran Oman understanding for safe shipping through Hormuz.

Saudi Arabia Faces Houthi Attacks

Yemen’s Saudi-led coalition intercepted two Houthi drones aimed at Riyadh and a ballistic missile targeting Khamis Mushait early Saturday. The Houthis have attacked Saudi Arabia since declaring a naval blockade against Riyadh in July. Turkey and Pakistan, both partners in a joint defense pact with Saudi Arabia, met defense officials in Riyadh to coordinate on security, following a meeting of the three countries’ foreign ministers under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement. UNICEF also reported rising acute malnutrition among children in Yemen amid the ongoing violence.