Iran is awaiting an official US response to its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and halt fighting across the Middle East, after a report said US President Donald Trump had rejected the initiative.
Iran presented the proposal during the UN General Assembly in New York, saying it had been delivered to the United States through Qatari mediators.
Under the plan, the strategic waterway could reopen and hostilities across the region could be halted within seven days.
However, Trump is privately doubtful that Tehran would meet his demands and has told aides that he considers a renewed bombing campaign likely after the November US midterm elections, according to the report.
The report cited unnamed US officials. Earlier, a US official described mediated discussions with Iran as “positive and constructive”.
Iran has also held discussions with Saudi Arabia over the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the importance of the waterway after seven months of conflict disrupted oil flows through one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said the proposed agreement would begin a seven-day countdown towards reopening the strait and pausing fighting across 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 told reporters at the United Nations on Friday.
He said broader negotiations could then begin on “mutually agreed subjects”, potentially including Iran’s nuclear programme.
Trump has vowed that Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon. But a senior Iranian official said Tehran would not compromise on its nuclear rights, including uranium enrichment or the removal of highly enriched uranium from the country, even if Washington accepted the peace proposal.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also said Tehran was prepared to negotiate over its nuclear programme and other issues, but would reject “bullying or coercion”.
“Iran is not seeking war, but will defend itself against pressure, threats and attacks,” Pezeshkian said, adding that Iran had already agreed that “we’re not supposed to develop nuclear weapons”.
Araqchi said Iran’s proposal would halt hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon. In return, he said, the United States would have to lift its blockade on Iranian ports, release frozen Iranian funds and waive oil sanctions.
Previous diplomatic efforts have failed to end the conflict, which began on February 28 with US and Israeli attacks.
The fighting has since alternated between pauses and renewed strikes, killing thousands, weakening Iran’s conventional military capabilities and further damaging its economy.
Iran and allied groups have also expanded the conflict across the region. Iran, which shares control of the Strait of Hormuz with Oman, has attacked US allies in the Gulf with drones and missiles, while Houthi fighters in Yemen have targeted Saudi interests.
Iran-aligned militias in Iraq have also been blamed for a pipeline attack that temporarily reduced Saudi oil supplies, while Hezbollah, backed by Iran, has continued fighting Israeli forces in Lebanon.
Araqchi briefed Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on an understanding between Iran and Oman concerning safe shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s foreign ministry said on Saturday.
The wider conflict has also prompted Saudi Arabia and its allies to strengthen the kingdom’s defences.
Houthi fighters have continued attacking Saudi Arabia, with missiles striking inside the kingdom. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted two ballistic missiles launched towards Khamis Mushait and two drones headed towards Riyadh early Saturday.
The Houthis control Yemen’s most populous areas and much of the north. Their attacks have targeted Saudi cities, energy infrastructure and shipping, adding pressure to global oil supplies and threatening the Red Sea route, a key alternative for Gulf exports while traffic through Hormuz remains largely blocked.
Defence officials from Turkey and Pakistan, which are partners with Saudi Arabia under a joint defence pact, met in Riyadh on Friday to discuss the security situation, intelligence sharing, military coordination and force integration.
The meeting came a day after the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey held talks under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement.
The continued violence in Yemen has also created a new humanitarian crisis, with the United Nations children’s agency reporting a rise in acute malnutrition among children.
Ojo Triumph
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