Iran considers two-day plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz waterway
Tehran says the reopening of the strategic strait depends on the United States meeting specific conditions including lifting sanctions.
Iran is evaluating a proposal to restore access to the Strait of Hormuz within two days, according to The Hindu. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday that the plan is contingent on the United States meeting Iranian demands.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Sunday that while consultations in Doha are ongoing, no breakthrough has been reached regarding the two-day timeline. Araghchi noted that discussions with Qatari mediators helped reduce the proposed implementation period from five days to two days.
The Iranian demands include ending the West Asia war on all fronts, lifting sanctions imposed after the Islamabad memorandum, and releasing frozen Iranian funds, including those in Qatar. Araghchi also called for a reduction in US military presence in the region and the restoration of oil waivers.
Araghchi further said Washington must recognise shipping routes in the strait that Tehran has discussed with Oman. He added that meeting these conditions would allow for renewed negotiations with the United States regarding other outstanding issues.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Donald Blome said at a security forum in Bahrain that while diplomatic channels are open, the US is prepared to take an alternate course. Blome stated that the US cannot allow Iran to hold the global economy hostage.
The situation follows a period of tension where Iran has claimed control over the waterway and the United States has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
