Iran says ready to reopen Strait of Hormuz in two days: ‘Everything depends on US’
Amid growing uncertainty over the future of the Iran-US war, Tehran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Monday that the country was open to the possibility of reopening the Strait of Hormuz within two days if the US met its demands.
FILE PHOTO: Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman. (REUTERS/File)According to news agency AFP, the Iranian official said an exchange of messages was ongoing with the US through mediators and that "everything depends" on the US side accepting the Iranian demands: "Only then can we discuss the subsequent stages."
“We have stated that, if Iran's demands are met, it would be possible to restore security to the Strait of Hormuz and resume the negotiating process within a short period,” Baqaei was quoted as saying.
According to AFP, Iran's demands include ending the Middle East war on all fronts, the unfreezing of Iranian assets abroad, lifting sanctions on its oil sector, and an end to the US naval blockade.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the US must accept a new route agreed between Iran and Oman for transit through the strait. He said the US must also remove sanctions imposed in recent months and reduce American troop numbers in the region.
Iran's proposal on reopening the Strait of Hormuz within two days comes even as concerns are high over the US and Israel possibly striking Tehran shortly after Tuesday's midterm elections in the US.
According to an Axios report, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu is pressing US President Donald Trump to strike Iran immediately after the elections but the Republican wants to see how the negotiations pan out.
Trump told reporters on Sunday that he had a "very good" call with Netanyahu. He said they discussed Iran but gave no details. Axios quoted an Israeli source as saying that the call was "tough," while the US source described it as "direct."
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint in the Persian Gulf through which nearly one-fifth of the world's oil supply transits, has faced repeated disruptions since the US-Iran war began in February this year.
Iran claims control over the waterway regularly targets vessels that attempt to cross the strait without its authorisation.
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More
