Iran says it could implement a revised Strait of Hormuz plan within two days if Washington meets its demands, leaving access to the shipping route tied to U.S. action.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Nov. 2 that Iran’s seven-stage proposal remains the basis for exchanges with Washington. The two-day period refers to carrying out the proposal if Tehran’s conditions are met. Iranian officials have announced no dates for reopening the strait or beginning negotiations.
Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei set out Tehran’s position in an Oct. 31 interview with Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). He said Washington must meet seven conditions before Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz or begins negotiations with the United States.
Baghaei said the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports must end and Iran’s demands must be met before the strait reopens. Tehran had previously linked Hormuz access to ending the blockade.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi outlined several demands in an interview with Al Jazeera. He called for the release of frozen Iranian assets, restoration of oil waivers, a reduction in U.S. forces in the region and recognition of shipping routes discussed with Oman. Araghchi also sought the removal of sanctions imposed after the Islamabad memorandum.
Araghchi said an earlier seven-day proposal would have reopened Hormuz on the sixth day and started U.S.-Iran negotiations on the seventh, provided Tehran’s terms were met. The revised two-day period describes implementation of the proposal; officials have not announced when either step would occur.
The diplomatic exchanges came amid reports of military action in the strait. An unnamed U.S. official described Nov. 2 U.S. strikes on Iranian targets there as defensive, the Associated Press reported. In a separate report, Iranian state television said explosions had occurred on Qeshm Island.
Araghchi said mediators from Qatar and Pakistan were consulting on Iran’s conditions. Baghaei said messages continued to pass between Tehran and Washington. Neither official announced a date for another negotiating session.
