Araghchi Says Two-Day Plan Would Reopen Hormuz If U.S. Meets Demands
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran and Qatari mediators have a two-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. would act on day one, and shipping would resume on day two. Washington has not confirmed it.
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Araghchi told Al Jazeera that the plan builds on Iran’s earlier seven-day proposal. Qatari mediators asked to cut that window to five days or less, he said. The two-day version took shape during a Qatari delegation’s visit.
What Araghchi Said
Middle East Eye carried Araghchi’s words in an English translation of the interview. “We have now reached a plan that cuts the implementation time to two days,” he said.
“On day one, the US implements a set of measures. On day two, the Hormuz Strait will reopen, and navigation will be restored to what it used to be.”
The Measures Iran Wants
Araghchi said the plan depends on Washington accepting Tehran’s demands. Al Jazeera lists them as lifting U.S. sanctions imposed after the Islamabad memorandum and restoring June oil waivers. Iran also wants a smaller U.S. military presence in the region.
It wants frozen funds released, including money held in Qatar. It demands recognition of a new shipping route that Iran and Oman designated, with other routes closed. It wants the war ended on all fronts, including Israel’s attacks on Lebanon.
Al Jazeera Arabic’s summary adds an end to the U.S. naval blockade and a resumption of Iranian oil exports. The Hormuz reopening would then clear the way for talks with Washington on outstanding issues, Dawn reported.
No U.S. Confirmation Yet
Washington has not confirmed it accepts the plan. Iran’s Mohsen Rezaei said the U.S. had “indicated its readiness” to accept Iran’s conditions, Al Jazeera reports. Washington has not confirmed that.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Qatar-led talks are under way but he knows of no timeframe. “Talks have actually never stopped,” he said.
Araghchi told state media on Sunday that talks on the proposal continue. No final conclusion has been reached, Reuters reported.
Al Jazeera Arabic says Araghchi denied agreeing to a direct meeting with U.S. officials. He said that would not come before Washington accepts Iran’s conditions. He also told Al Jazeera that Tehran will not surrender under economic pressure.
Hormuz and the Wider War
Shipping in the strait remains dangerous. Iran’s IRGC Navy said on Sunday that two oil tankers struck naval mines and exploded. A Western official recently called the situation “completely unsustainable”, according to the Washington Post.
Trump says talks are “going fine,” while Axios reports Netanyahu is pressing him to strike Iran right after Tuesday’s midterms. Araghchi told Al Jazeera that Iran’s armed forces are ready for any scenario.
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