Iran is pushing for a negotiated solution to its conflict with the U.S. and Israel after President Donald Trump said he had rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end fighting. The proposal was announced at the UN General Assembly and communicated to the U.S. through Qatari mediators.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said any move on the waterway depends on conditions Iran has laid out and argued that “Only a negotiated solution can get them out of this deadlock,” according to a Reuters report.
Iran Waiting For Mediators
Araqchi said that intermediaries handling contacts between Tehran and Washington had not formally delivered a U.S. refusal despite Trump’s public remarks. Araqchi added, “We are waiting for the mediators to convey the definitive views to us, and we will make a decision based on them.”
Trump Rejects Iran’s Proposal
Iran unveiled the proposal last week during the U.N. General Assembly in New York and said it was passed to U.S. officials through Qatari channels. Trump told reporters at the White House on Saturday that he rejected the plan and claimed Iran was pushing for a quick agreement because it is “losing so badly.”
The U.S. has tightened economic pressure on Tehran in an effort to halt Iranian attacks on ships transiting the strait, a campaign that has driven down traffic through the corridor, according to the report.
Plan to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Araqchi told reporters at the United Nations on Friday that Iran’s proposal would set a seven-day clock for reopening the strait and include a halt to fighting in the region. “If there is seriousness on the US side to come to a deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, everything is now prepared,” Araqchi said.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking to CBS’ “Face the Nation,” said Iran was open to talks on its nuclear program and other matters but would not accept “bullying or coercion.” Pezeshkian also said, “Iran is not seeking war, but will defend itself against pressure, threats and attacks,” and added that Iran had already agreed that “we’re not supposed to develop nuclear weapons”.
Early Saturday, Yemen’s Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted two ballistic missiles and two drones launched by the Houthis toward Saudi Arabia. Reuters also reported that Iran has engaged Saudi Arabia on Hormuz-related issues as the fighting has disrupted oil flows and weighed on the global economy.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
Recent Comments