Iran offers 7-day plan to reopen Hormuz, restart nuclear talks if US accepts terms
Tehran says the plan would require Washington to lift its naval blockade, waive sanctions on Iranian oil sales and observe a ceasefire that includes Lebanon.
Iran has proposed a seven-day plan to reopen Hormuz and resume talks on its nuclear programme if the United States lifts its naval blockade, waives sanctions on Iranian oil sales and observes a ceasefire that includes Lebanon.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi detailed the proposal at a private gathering yesterday (24 September) on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, according to an attendee, reports AP.
Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute think tank, who attended the gathering, said Araghchi suggested that a speedy agreement could benefit US President Donald Trump ahead of November's midterm elections.
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There was no immediate comment from Iran's UN mission or other Iranian officials.
The proposal closely resembles a memorandum of understanding reached in June, but with an accelerated timetable. That earlier agreement called for a 60-day interim period but quickly collapsed as Iran resumed attacks on shipping in the strait.
Trump has said he is in no rush to reach a deal, even as high oil prices fuel inflation and add to cost-of-living concerns.
On the Iranian side, questions remain over whether hard-liners who dominate the country's security forces will accept compromises supported by relatively moderate figures such as President Masoud Pezeshkian.
"If Trump calculates this arrangement is worthwhile and can bring political benefit before the midterms and reduce gas prices, perhaps we'll see flexibility not seen in previous weeks," Parsi said.
But he also noted "deep suspicion", particularly over concerns that Iran could use the arrangement to buy time to sell more of its oil and ease its economic pressure.
In the latest sign of diplomatic movement, Pezeshkian hosted the prime minister of Qatar early Friday (25 September). Qatar has served as a key mediator, including during hours of indirect Iranian-US talks at the UN this week.
It was not immediately clear how long Pezeshkian and Araghchi would remain in the US after Pezeshkian addressed the annual UN gathering of world leaders on Wednesday (23 September).
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that "if there's an opportunity to exchange ideas and messages, we will."
The proposal remains conditional, and there has been no indication that Washington has accepted its terms.
