Iran is awaiting a US response to a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and halt fighting across the Middle East, despite a report that Donald Trump has rejected the plan.
The initiative was presented at the United Nations General Assembly in New York by Iranian officials, who said it had been passed to Washington through Qatari mediators. Under the proposal, the strategic waterway could reopen and hostilities could end within seven days.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Friday that the plan would begin a seven-day countdown to reopening the strait and introduce a pause in fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon.
“If there is seriousness on the US side to come to a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, everything is now prepared,” Mr Araqchi told reporters.
He said wider negotiations could begin if Washington agreed, covering “mutually agreed subjects” and potentially Iran’s nuclear programme.
However, the Wall Street Journal reported that Mr Trump was privately sceptical Iran would fulfil his demands and had told staff he believed a renewed bombing campaign was likely after the US midterm elections.
The report cited unnamed US officials. Earlier, a US official described discussions with Iran through mediators as “positive and constructive”.
Iran sets out conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz
Mr Araqchi said the Iranian proposal required the United States to lift its blockade of Iranian ports, release frozen Iranian funds and waive oil sanctions.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was prepared to discuss its nuclear programme and other issues, but would not accept “bullying or coercion”.
“Iran is not seeking war, but will defend itself against pressure, threats and attacks,” Mr Pezeshkian said in an interview with CBS. He added that Iran had already agreed “we’re not supposed to develop nuclear weapons”.
Iran also held discussions with Saudi Arabia, its regional rival, over the strait. The waterway is controlled by Iran and Oman and has become a central flashpoint in the conflict, disrupting oil shipments and affecting the global economy.
The war began on February 28 with US and Israeli attacks and has since alternated between pauses and renewed strikes. Thousands of people have been killed, while Iran’s conventional forces and already weakened economy have suffered further damage.
Iran and allied groups have retaliated across the region. Iranian drones and missiles have targeted US allies in the Gulf, while Houthi fighters in Yemen have attacked Saudi interests and Iranian-aligned militias in Iraq have been blamed for a pipeline strike that temporarily reduced Saudi oil exports.
Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, has also been engaged with Israeli forces in Lebanon.
Saudi Arabia’s coalition said on Saturday that it had intercepted two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis towards Khamis Mushait, along with two drones heading towards Riyadh.
The Houthi attacks have targeted Saudi cities, energy infrastructure and shipping after the group declared a naval blockade against Riyadh in July, adding to pressure on oil supplies.
Defence officials from Turkey and Pakistan met in Riyadh on Friday to review the security situation, discuss intelligence-sharing and consider military co-ordination and the integration of forces, according to Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry.
