Iran has offered to end its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz if the US lifts its ban on the country and ends the war.
US President Donald Trump seemed unlikely to accept the offer, which was passed to the Americans by Pakistan and would leave unresolved the disagreements that led the USand Israel to go to war on February 28.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump’s national security team met Monday and was discussing Iran’s proposal. But she offered no detail about the discussion or how the proposal was received. She said Trump would address it later.
Frustration among many nations is mounting, with renewed demands Monday to end the blockade.
Trump said one of the major reasons he went to war was to deny Iran the ability to develop nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil prices, rose over 3 per cent to just under $109 (£80) a barrel on Monday.
Global energy supplies have been under intense pressure since the start of the Iran war as the crucial Strait of Hormuz waterway has been effectively closed by the conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that “important discussions on bilateral matters and regional developments” were ongoing with Oman, along the strait.
Brent crude has risen by more than 10 per cent since Trump announced last week that he would extend a ceasefire with Tehran to give its leadership a chance to present a “unified proposal”.
Emmanuel Addeh
Follow us on:
