Iran Offers 7-Day Deal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz and Resume Nuclear Talks
The United Nations has witnessed a new proposal from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in just seven days, contingent on several conditions being met by the US. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, these conditions include lifting the naval blockade of Iranian ports, waiving sanctions on Iranian oil sales, and observing a ceasefire that would involve Lebanon.
The proposal closely resembles an interim deal reached in June, which quickly collapsed after Iran resumed attacks on shipping in the strait. This time around, the timeline is accelerated, with initial steps expected to take four to five days and the Strait opening on day six, followed by talks between the US and Iran starting on day seven.
Araghchi noted that more than 5,000 people have been killed in the nearly seven-month US-Israeli war. The proposal also mentions Lebanon, where Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah have largely observed a ceasefire, though it remains unclear if it includes the Yemen conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Saudi Arabia has expressed skepticism about the new push for a deal, a view shared by some within Iran's leadership who prefer to continue or escalate the war in pursuit of bigger concessions from the US. Despite this, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian hosted the prime minister of Qatar on Friday, highlighting ongoing diplomatic efforts.