Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that Tehran’s conditions for reopening the strategic waterway remained unchanged and that only a negotiated settlement could resolve the impasse. Iran had presented the proposal earlier this week during the UN General Assembly in New York and said it was transmitted to the United States through Qatari mediators. Mr Trump said on Saturday that he had rejected the proposal. He argued that Iran was seeking an immediate agreement on the Strait of Hormuz because of the economic pressure caused by the conflict. Despite Mr Trump’s public comments, Mr Araghchi said Tehran had not received an official US response through the mediators involved in the talks. He said Iran was waiting for the mediators to convey Washington’s formal position before deciding how to proceed. The proposal would set a seven-day countdown for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and include a pause in regional fighting, according to Mr Araghchi. If Washington agreed, the two sides could then begin broader negotiations on issues agreed by both parties. The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy route and has become a central point of the conflict. Disruptions to shipping through the waterway have affected oil flows and contributed to wider economic pressure. Iran has indicated that any reopening of the strait would depend on the United States reducing military pressure and lifting its blockade on Iranian ports. Earlier reports said Tehran had conveyed its proposal through mediators while US and Iranian representatives continued indirect discussions. Balochistan Operations Security forces say more than 71 militants killed in 96 hours The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed US officials, first reported that Mr Trump had rejected the proposal. The report also said he was sceptical that Iran would meet US demands and had told aides he expected military action against Iran to resume after the November midterm elections. Those details have not been independently confirmed by the US administration. A US official had earlier described discussions with Iran through mediators as “positive and constructive”, according to Reuters. Iran has also engaged Saudi Arabia over the situation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the wider regional consequences of the conflict. Mr Araghchi said on Friday that Tehran was prepared to move ahead if the United States demonstrated a serious commitment to an agreement. He said a deal on reopening the waterway could pave the way for wider talks, potentially including Iran’s nuclear programme. US officials have repeatedly said Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons. Iranian officials, meanwhile, have said Tehran is prepared to discuss its nuclear programme but would not accept what it describes as coercion or give up its stated rights concerning uranium enrichment. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran does not seek war but would defend itself against pressure, threats and attacks. He has also said Iran has agreed that it should not develop nuclear weapons. The conflict began on 28 February with US and Israeli attacks on Iran and has since included periods of fighting and pauses. Thousands of people have reportedly been killed, while Iran’s military capabilities and economy have suffered significant damage. Iran and allied groups have also carried out retaliatory attacks across the region, including missile and drone strikes against US allies in the Gulf. Houthi forces in Yemen have separately targeted Saudi interests. The latest statements leave the diplomatic channel open, but the two sides remain divided over the conditions for ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Post navigation Balochistan Operations Security forces say more than 71 militants killed in 96 hours
