A Glimmer of Hope for Peace Is Quickly Shrouded by Clouds Again: Trump Rejects the "Seven-Day Agreement"; Iran's President Once Again Discusses the Issue of Trust

Just as European and American markets were boosted on Friday by Iran's proactive proposal for a "seven-day reopening of the Strait of Hormuz," the possibility of this proposal quickly translating into a market positive was swiftly clouded over. According to a previous report by Cailian Press, after the close of U.S. stocks on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi revealed at a UN press conference that Iran had conveyed a "specific seven-day plan" to the United States through Qatar, and stated that if conditions are met, the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened within seven days. Araghchi did not publicly disclose the contents of the agreement, only saying that the actions the United States should take were already written in the memorandum of understanding previously reached by both sides in June. In response to Iran's olive branch, U.S. President Trump quickly responded. On the morning of Saturday local time, as Trump left the White House, he told the media: "They made a proposal, but I rejected it." The U.S. president also stated that a large amount of oil is being shipped out of the Strait of Hormuz, with 29 ships departing on Friday evening alone. However, Trump did not again mention "resuming bombing after the midterm elections," and expressed an open attitude toward the negotiations themselves. He said: "They want to make a deal, I think that's fine, I like making deals too, but that deal is unacceptable." According to media reports, the "seven-day plan" proposed by Iran includes a ceasefire (including the fighting in Lebanon), as well as the United States unfreezing at least $12 billion of Iran's frozen assets, waiving sanctions on Iranian oil, and lifting the naval blockade on Iran. Araghchi said the preliminary measures would take about four to five days to complete, the Strait of Hormuz would reopen on the sixth day, and on the seventh day the two sides would launch negotiations on a final agreement, including the Iranian nuclear issue. The latest twist is also the latest turn in this war that has lasted nearly seven months. During this war, bombing, peace proposals, exaggerated threats, and contradictory information have continuously cycled on stage. Citing informed U.S. officials, media reported that the United States has told mediators that Trump has no intention of lifting the naval blockade. The United States believes that economic pressure will eventually force Iran to sign an agreement more favorable to the United States and the Arab states along the Persian Gulf. But these officials also said that as the war drags on in the coming weeks, Trump's views may change and may also be affected by the outcome of the midterm elections. At the same time, Trump is also unwilling to resume large-scale combat operations, partly because the United States wants to reserve its increasingly depleted ammunition stockpiles for other contingencies. A U.S. official said Washington and Tehran are still negotiating through intermediaries, including on the nuclear issue. The official said that a U.S.-led operation to ensure tankers can still pass through the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian threats has reduced the urgency of reaching an agreement. Also on Saturday, Iranian President Pezeshkian said in a media interview that because Iran has repeatedly suffered attacks and sanctions after each round of negotiations, it no longer trusts direct negotiations with Washington, and stressed that the United States needs to clarify its position on the previously signed memorandum of understanding. He said that negotiations between Iran and the United States are based on a previously reached memorandum of understanding, and Washington must clarify its position on it. Pezeshkian also stressed that Middle East security must be achieved through regional cooperation among regional countries, without the need for an "external police force." The Iranian president accused "the United States and Israel of trying to incite Islamic countries to confront one another in order to control the region's resources." He also said Saudi Arabia has the ability to play a role in uniting the Islamic world. Regarding the recent fighting in Yemen and the escalation of tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, Pezeshkian urged both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue, saying that "brothers should not fight brothers," and expressed Iran's willingness to help end the dispute. Update: Iranian Foreign Minister responds to Trump's remarks According to CCTV News, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said that Iran has learned of the U.S. side's preliminary response to the proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but has not yet received any specific information conveyed by the mediators. Iran is waiting for the mediators to convey a final position and will make a decision accordingly. Araghchi also said that Iran will not make concessions to the United States on the established conditions. The opening of the Strait of Hormuz depends on whether the conditions proposed by Iran are met. Any progress on opening the Strait of Hormuz depends on whether these conditions can be implemented, and Iran will never compromise on these issues. This article is reprinted from "Cailian Press," author: Shi Zhengcheng; GMTEight editor: Huang Xiaodong.