Iran is awaiting an official U.S. response to a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and halt fighting in the region within 7 days, amid mixed signals from Washington, ranging from an American official describing the discussions as “positive and constructive,” to reports of President Donald Trump rejecting the plan and leaning toward resuming bombing after the November elections.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed on Saturday that the proposal was coordinated with the Supreme Leader Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei, and that Tehran is prepared to implement it if the United States agrees and fulfills its commitments.
Tehran presented its initiative during meetings of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and conveyed it to the U.S. side through Qatari mediators, according to Reuters.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Friday that approval of the agreement would trigger a 7-day countdown to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and cease hostilities in the region, including Lebanon.
He added, “If there is seriousness from the U.S. side to reach an agreement and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, everything is ready now.”
According to Araqchi, the plan requires lifting the American blockade on Iranian ports, releasing frozen Iranian funds, and lifting oil sanctions. Broader discussions regarding mutually agreed issues could follow.
The Iranian minister indicated that the conditions are based on a previous memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran that collapsed in July, which included a cessation of hostilities on all fronts and measures to ease economic restrictions on Iran.
Pezeshkian, in an interview with CBS published by the Iranian news agency IRNA, stated that the proposal was coordinated with the Supreme Leader, adding that if Washington agrees and adheres to its obligations, “we will do the same, and there will be no problem in this regard.”
He announced the formation of a 6-member team comprising representatives from the military, parliament, government, and other bodies, empowered to discuss the proposed issues and make decisions.
However, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that U.S. officials said Trump rejected the proposal and is skeptical about Iran’s willingness to meet his demands.
According to the newspaper, Trump informed his staff that he believes renewed bombing is likely after the midterm congressional elections in November. There has been no official U.S. response to the proposal yet, according to Reuters.
An American official had described the discussions through mediators as “positive and constructive,” reflecting ongoing communication despite the disagreements.
Pezeshkian expressed his country's readiness to discuss its nuclear program and other issues, but stated that it will not accept “bullying or coercion.”
He added, “Iran does not seek war, but will defend itself in the face of pressure, threats, and attacks,” emphasizing that it has already agreed not to develop nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that accepting an agreement to end the war would not mean concessions regarding what Tehran considers its nuclear rights, including uranium enrichment, or agreeing to transfer high-enriched uranium out of the country.
This issue remains one of the obstacles to a settlement, amidst Trump’s pledge to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb.