US President Donald Trump has reportedly rejected a seven-day cease-fire proposal from Iran and expects US airstrikes on the country to resume after the November midterm elections, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Iran proposed the seven-day pause during a meeting with mediators in Qatar on Sunday. Under the proposal, Tehran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restart talks on dismantling its nuclear programme. In return, the US would have to end its naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later confirmed at the United Nations in New York that Tehran had formally presented the seven-day cease-fire proposal to the US. Iran has also sought sanctions relief and the unfreezing of some of its assets as part of its demands.

The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that Trump remains “skeptical” that Iran will accept his demands. He has also told aides that it is “likely” the US military will resume airstrikes against Iran after the November midterm elections.

US officials have reportedly told Iran that Trump has “no intention” of lifting the naval blockade. The White House has not immediately responded to The Post’s request for comment.

Trump also appeared to mock Iran on Friday night. He shared a map of the Persian Gulf region on Truth Social, with the Strait of Hormuz circled and labelled “Trump Strait.”

The development comes after Trump warned about possible military action against Iran during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly earlier this week. He said that with peace negotiations stalled, he could choose to “annihilate” Iran.

Trump has previously threatened to destroy “civilisation” in Iran and bomb its bridges and energy infrastructure. However, he has largely stopped short of carrying out such attacks.

The White House has defended the US pressure campaign against Tehran. A White House official told Reuters earlier this week that the “crushing sanctions” and “one of the most successful blockades in history” have crippled Iran’s economy and left the country broke.

The official also said Trump was willing to allow the “inevitable Iranian collapse” to play out rather than be “played” by the Iranian regime.

Iran’s cease-fire proposal now remains tied to broader demands involving the naval blockade, sanctions and nuclear negotiations. Trump’s reported position signals that Washington is not prepared to ease the blockade at this stage.