President Donald Trump poked fun at Iran with a photo of the ‘Trump Strait’ shortly after rejecting a seven-day ceasefire and telling aides that he expects to continue bombing the country after the midterms in November.
Trump turned down a proposal that included Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear talks, according to the Wall Street Journal.
About half an hour after the news broke, Trump took to Truth Social with a picture of the ‘Trump Strait,’ evoking shades of how he used his presidential power to rename the Gulf of America and Lake America.
In return, the US would have lifted its blockade of Iranian ports, which is hurting the country’s economy. Trump does not intend to end the maritime blockade.
Trump is skeptical about Iran meeting his demands and has reportedly told staff that another bombing campaign is likely, the outlet reported.
The nature of the renewed strikes on Iran remains unknown, with the US’ diminishing reserve munitions being taken into consideration after months of war in Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday that that the initial steps in the proposal would take about four to five days to complete, per the Associated Press.
On Tuesday, Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly and warned that he may ‘annihilate’ Iran if a deal was not reached to end the war.
President Donald Trump reportedly rejected a seven-day ceasefire with Iran that would have seen the country reopen the Strait of Hormuz
The proposal turned down by Trump included Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz as part of a weeklong process
Around a fifth of the world’s traded oil flowed through the strait, which is a narrow passage of water between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, every day prior to the Iran war.
Araghchi said a deal ‘would be much better if it is done before the midterm election,’ CNBC reported.
‘But it depends on the US administration to decide,’ he added. ‘We are not in a hurry.’
Under the suggested proposal, the strait would open on the sixth day. Talks with the US would resume on the final day of the deal.
Trump said Tuesday that he believed a deal would be struck ‘right after the election because it doesn’t make sense for them not to.’
‘They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election,’ Trump said. ‘What they don’t realize is that I’m not running.’
Disruptions on the strait as a result of the Iran war have pushed up crude prices worldwide.
That has made gasoline more expensive for customers, which has become a talking point ahead of the midterms.
Trump warned that he may ‘annihilate’ Iran if a deal was not reached to end the war during his UN General Assembly speech earlier this week
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that striking a deal ‘would be much better if it is done before the midterm election’
Trump also mused at the UN that he had a ‘big decision to make’ with regards to the Middle Eastern country’s future.
‘Will a deal be made with Iran that lets them rebuild and create a far greater country than it ever was before? Maybe one of the greatest in the Middle East or even the world?’ Trump said.
‘Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic and do it quickly, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again?’ he continued.
The President previously said that the US would not ‘rush into a deal in that time is on our side.’
‘Both sides must take their time and get it right,’ he posted on Truth Social in May. ‘There can be no mistakes!’
The war in Iran has raged since February 28 after joint US-Israeli strikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment.
This is a breaking news story. More to come.
