Iran awaits US response on proposal to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Iran is awaiting a formal US response to its proposal for reopening the Strait of Hormuz after further talks with Qatari mediators in New York, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.

Araghchi said a Qatari mediator had met with Iranian officials to discuss proposals aimed at meeting Tehran’s conditions. Qatar would convey those ideas to Washington and then relay the US response to Iran, he said, adding that Doha hoped to receive an answer by September 30, Iran International reports.

“We are awaiting an official response from the United States through the mediators,” Araghchi said.

The Iranian foreign minister rejected reports that Tehran had softened its position, saying Iran had made no concessions and urging the public not to heed what he described as deliberate speculation in some media.

He said Tehran’s position remained unchanged and that reopening the Strait of Hormuz depended on Iran’s conditions being met.

“At present, the only issue is the Strait of Hormuz,” he said. “Iran’s conditions are entirely fair and reasonable. If the Americans say they want an agreement or a peaceful solution, we have presented that solution.”

Araghchi said he was leaving New York for Tehran, where Iranian officials would decide how to proceed after receiving Washington’s response.

He added that Qatar and Pakistan had previously relayed messages between Iran and the United States, but contacts had become more serious after Tehran submitted its proposal.

By Sabina Mammadli