Iran Says Hormuz Reopening Proposal Remains Open as Talks Stall
Iran’s foreign minister said on October 18 that Tehran’s proposal for reopening the Strait of Hormuz remained available to the United States. The statement described an offer still under discussion, rather than an agreement to restore shipping. Reuters reported that Abbas Araqchi made the remarks in Baghdad, where he was attending an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting. Iran had submitted its proposal in mid-September after an interim ceasefire collapsed and was reviewing American comments. The demands included ending restrictions on Iranian ports, lifting sanctions on oil exports and stopping hostilities across regional fronts. Araqchi said acceptance could permit reopening within six days, followed by talks the next day. That timetable was conditional and represented Iran’s position. The negotiations also faced disagreement over sequencing. Washington wanted Iran’s nuclear programme addressed from the outset, while Tehran wanted initial talks to concentrate on reopening the w...