U.S. Rejects Iran’s Seven‑Day Truce Plan as Mediators Arrange Separate Talks

Overview

• President Trump publicly rejected Iran’s seven‑day ceasefire package on Saturday but said U.S. negotiators could reengage this week.
• Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has reaffirmed that Tehran will not drop its preconditions — a ceasefire, release of frozen assets and lifting of oil sanctions — and says it awaits a formal response through mediators.
• Qatar mediators are reported to be holding separate discussions with Iranian and U.S. representatives to examine a modified version of Tehran’s proposal.
• Oil prices jumped more than 3% after the U.S. rejection and then swung lower when reports suggested Washington might consider limited sanction relief in exchange for concrete progress.
• The dispute keeps military tensions high in the Gulf and threatens shipping and fuel costs worldwide by leaving control of the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el‑Mandeb tied to diplomatic moves.