'Meet our demands, Hormuz opens in 48 hours': Iran puts new proposal before US

TEHRAN: Iran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz within two days if the United States meets its conditions, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said. The proposal, discussed through Qatar-mediated consultations, marks a reduction from Iran's original seven-day plan. After Qatar's intervention, the implementation period was initially shortened to five days, then further reduced to two. Under the proposed arrangement, the US would implement a set of measures on the first day, while Iran would reopen the strategic waterway and restore normal navigation on the second.

Iran's demands include lifting US sanctions imposed following the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, restoring oil export waivers, reducing the US military presence in the region and releasing Iranian funds frozen abroad, including those held in Qatar. Tehran has also called for an end to hostilities on all fronts, including Israeli attacks on Lebanon, the lifting of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and recognition of new shipping routes agreed upon with Oman, with alternative routes through the Strait of Hormuz to be closed. These demands form part of Iran's broader seven-step plan for reopening the waterway.

Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei has warned that any attack on the country would invite a devastating response using advanced weapons. He also described a letter from US Vice President JD Vance, delivered through Qatari intermediaries, as a positive sign of a change in Washington's approach. The letter reportedly proposed restarting comprehensive peace negotiations.

Meanwhile, Iranian negotiators left Doha on Sunday after three days of consultations with Qatari mediators. An official familiar with the discussions told Reuters that their departure was not due to difficulties in the talks. A draft proposal is reportedly being circulated, with the possibility of a follow-up meeting. US President Donald Trump has described the discussions as going fine but expressed doubts about their reliability, while keeping the possibility of further military action open. Washington has not publicly accepted Iran's proposal, and Tehran maintains that its demands must be addressed and the naval blockade lifted before the Strait can be reopened. Araghchi has said that reopening the waterway under the proposed arrangement would pave the way for further negotiations with Washington. No final agreement has been reached.