New York, Sept 26: Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week if the United States meets conditions agreed earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.
Speaking to reporters at the United Nations in New York, Araghchi said the conditions were already included in a memorandum of understanding signed in June. Iran submitted the proposal to Washington through Qatar.
“The choice is now in the hands of the United States,” he said. “If the necessary conditions are met, the waterway can be reopened and normal maritime traffic restored within seven days.”
Araghchi did not specify what steps Washington must take but said they were not new and had already been set out in the memorandum.
A US official said discussions through mediators on nuclear and other issues had been positive but added that Washington was in no hurry because it remained in a strong position.
The June 18 memorandum between the United States and Iran was designed to establish a ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, at least partially. The 14-point agreement said Iran would never possess nuclear weapons and called on the United States, Iran and their allies to end military operations on all fronts. It also included provisions for ending the US naval blockade and easing sanctions.
Iran agreed to make efforts to ensure safe passage for commercial vessels and hold talks with Oman on future transit arrangements. The deal soon collapsed after both sides resumed attacks.
Since then, Iran has attacked vessels it says attempted to cross the strait without permission, while the United States has struck Iranian positions and tankers. Washington has also maintained a blockade of Iranian ports, putting further pressure on Iran’s economy.
According to Kpler data cited by Reuters, an average of about 18 vessels a day passed through the waterway over the past 10 days, with traffic falling to as few as nine vessels on some days.
Tensions have also spread to the Red Sea, where Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group has intensified attacks aimed at disrupting Saudi oil exports and seized strategically important coastal territory, including the port of Mokha near the Bab al Mandeb Strait.
US President Donald Trump, speaking at the UN General Assembly this week, expressed hope for an agreement with Iran after the November elections, while also threatening severe action against Tehran.
Araghchi responded Friday that Iran would not accept “pressure, threats or intimidation,” saying peace could not be achieved through threats of destruction. (Source: BBC)
People’s News Monitoring Service
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