Iran has submitted a proposal to the Trump administration outlining conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and accelerating nuclear negotiations. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the plan would enable the strait to open within six days, followed by the commencement of nuclear talks the day after. The proposal is contingent on the United States lifting sanctions on Iranian oil exports, ceasing military operations across all regional fronts including Lebanon, and releasing some of Iran’s frozen assets.
Araghchi stated that the proposal builds upon a memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran in June, designed to expedite the nuclear discussion timeline. Under the original agreement, nuclear talks were not scheduled to begin for 60 days. Iran has reportedly secured agreement with Oman on establishing a temporary shipping corridor through the strait and indicated readiness to register details with the International Maritime Organisation. Araghchi indicated he remained in New York awaiting an American response to the proposal.
The initiative faces several obstacles to implementation. Saudi Arabia had been expected to endorse the Oman-Iran route but withdrew support partly due to attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi forces on Saudi territory amid the Yemen conflict. Iran claims it has encouraged the Houthis to cease attacks but maintains it lacks control over their decision-making. Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding Israel’s potential opposition to arrangements that would grant Iran control over shipping routes through the strait, and complications arise from the requirement to end the war in Lebanon.
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband met with Araghchi in New York, marking the first ministerial-level meeting between the two countries in a year and occurring after the UK designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as a terrorist organisation in July. Miliband emphasized the UK’s commitment to freedom of navigation in the strait while expressing support for Saudi Arabia and raising concerns about Iranian activities affecting British interests.
Within Iran, perspectives on the proposal vary. Some officials express confidence in reaching an agreement with the US, though they harbor concerns about Israeli influence on American decision-making. Meanwhile, certain factions within Iran have advocated for escalating conflict with what they characterise as a vulnerable US administration. Oil prices reflected ongoing regional tensions, with Brent crude trading near $107 per barrel.
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