Iran was awaiting a formal response from the US on Saturday to its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end fighting in the wider Middle East. The proposal was conveyed to the Americans through Qatari mediators, according to Reuters. The initiative was launched at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with Iran saying it could reopen the strategic waterway and end hostilities in the region within seven days.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters at the UN on Friday that the agreement would lead to a seven-day countdown to reopen the strait and stop regional fighting. He added that if there was seriousness from the US side to reach an agreement and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, everything was ready now. Araghchi also confirmed that if the US agreed, the warring parties could start broader talks on mutually agreed topics.
However, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran would not show any flexibility on its nuclear program, even if the US accepted a peace agreement. The official said Iran would not make any concessions on its rights, including uranium enrichment or shipping highly enriched uranium out of the country. Iran has proposed a plan to stop hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon.
The plan requires the US to lift its blockade on Iranian ports, release frozen Iranian funds, and waive oil sanctions imposed on the country. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the discussions through mediators as "positive and constructive". However, the Wall Street Journal report said Trump was secretly skeptical that Iran would meet his demands.
The report also said Trump had told his staff that he saw a new bombing campaign as likely. Araghchi briefed his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on the understanding between Iran and Oman on safe shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry. The development comes amid a seven-month-old conflict that has disrupted oil flows through one of the world's most important shipping lanes.
The conflict has caused damage to the global economy. Iran's initiative has been met with interest from its adversaries, including Saudi Arabia, with whom it has engaged on the issue of the strait. The two sides have been locked in a longstanding dispute that has raised concerns about the security of the region.
The US response to Iran's proposal remains unclear, with the country's stance on the negotiations yet to be officially announced. Key issues, including Iran's nuclear program and the lifting of US sanctions, remain major stumbling blocks to a potential agreement.
Key points
- Iran proposed a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end hostilities in the region within seven days.
- The US response to Iran's proposal remains unclear.
- Iran's nuclear program and US sanctions remain major issues in potential negotiations.
