The US has made no public response to Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed US officials, reports President Donald Trump rejected it; Iran’s plan links reopening to US concessions and a halt to hostilities.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the plan requires Washington to release $12bn in frozen Iranian assets, lift oil sanctions and end its naval blockade of Iranian ports. He said hostilities, including in Lebanon, must stop during the seven-day period. Araghchi estimated the US conditions would take four or five days to meet; the strait could then reopen, with talks on a final deal starting on day seven.
Indirect talks have continued through Qatar; a US official told Al Jazeera they were “positive and constructive.” Separately, The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed US officials, reported Trump told aides he expected a new bombing campaign against Iran after November’s midterm elections. Trump has also said he believes a deal could come shortly after the elections.
