Iran has presented a new proposal to America. Under this, if the US accepts some of Iran’s conditions, the Strait of Hormuz can be opened within seven days and talks on Iran’s nuclear program can start again. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced the proposal in a private meeting during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The proposal has been conveyed to America through intermediaries.
Iran wants the US to lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports, lift restrictions on the sale of Iranian oil and implement a seven-day ceasefire. Lebanon should also be included in this ceasefire. Apart from this, the condition of freeing Iran’s frozen foreign accounts of at least 12 billion dollars has also been revealed. On the seventh day, Iran is talking about opening the Strait of Hormuz and opening nuclear talks. According to Araghchi, the seven-day deadline will begin the day after the US accepts the proposal. However, America’s response to this proposal is awaited.
Why is Hormuz so important?
Before the war began, a fifth of the world’s total oil trade passed through this route. Hence, the impact of ship traffic here affects not only West Asia but also the global energy market. For Iran, Hormuz has now become the main means of putting pressure on America.
The new plan is similar to the June agreement
Iran’s new proposal is similar to the US-Iran deal reached in June. In that agreement, a 60-day period was provided for further negotiations during the ceasefire. There was also talk of easing Iranian oil exports and normalizing sea traffic in Hormuz. But in July, tensions rose again between the two sides and the agreement collapsed. This time Iran has proposed to speed up the process significantly.
What is the attitude of America and Saudi Arabia?
The US has said that its talks with mediators on the Iran war are positive. However, US President Donald Trump had earlier said he was in no rush for an agreement. According to Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute, Iran believes an early deal could give Trump political leverage ahead of November’s mid-term elections and also ease pressure on oil and gas prices. But there are doubts about Iran’s proposal whether it wants to use it to increase its oil exports and reduce economic pressure.
Saudi Arabia is also said to be apprehensive about the proposal. The Gulf states were previously in favor of returning to the talks, but have changed their stance following increased Houthi activity in Yemen and attacks on key Saudi pipelines.
The situation regarding Yemen is not clear
Iran’s proposal includes Lebanon, but it is unclear whether the Yemeni conflict will be included. Meanwhile, Qatar’s Prime Minister has met Iran’s President Masoud Pajeshkian. Qatar is acting as a mediator between the US and Iran. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also said that the US will do so when there is an opportunity to share ideas and messages.
