US President Donald Trump said on September 26 he had rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end fighting in the Middle East, according to Reuters. The plan was raised at the UN General Assembly and sent to Washington through Qatari mediators.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the deal would trigger a seven-day countdown to reopening the strait and a pause in regional fighting. Iran's conditions included lifting the US naval blockade of its ports, releasing frozen funds and waiving oil sanctions.

Trump told reporters he had rejected the deal, saying Iran wants the strait opened "because they're losing so badly." The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump told staff he expects a renewed bombing campaign after the November midterm elections.

The seven-month-old conflict has disrupted oil flows through the critical waterway and hurt the global economy. A US official had earlier called discussions through mediators "positive and constructive," and further talks are expected this week.