US-Iran Horns Locked in Key Dispute Over Who Acts First

The United States and Iran have exchanged proposals for ending the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran receiving Washington's formal response to its latest proposal on Wednesday.

Fatemeh Mohajerani, Iranian government spokesperson, said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented the US response to President Masoud Pezeshkian and the Cabinet. The exact contents of the US reply have not been disclosed.

The proposals are part of indirect negotiations mediated by Qatar, which has sought to bridge differences over how a possible agreement would be implemented.

The main obstacle is the sequencing of commitments, which side acts first and in what order, with mediators seeking a formula acceptable to both Washington and Tehran. A seven-day roadmap proposed by Iran includes lifting the US naval blockade of Iranian ports, easing restrictions on Iranian oil exports, releasing frozen Iranian assets, and securing an end to hostilities.