Araghchi says Iran, Qatar propose reopening Strait of Hormuz within two days if US meets Tehran’s conditions

TEHRAN: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said talks with Qatari mediators are ongoing on a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days if the United States implements Tehran’s conditions, Al Jazeera reported.

Araghchi said discussions with the Qatari side had resulted in a reduction in the proposed implementation period for reopening the strategic waterway, from five days to two days.

“The Qatari side proposed shortening the implementation period of the Iranian proposal to five days. We have reached a proposal at this stage that reduces the implementation period to two days,” Araghchi said, according to Al Jazeera.

Outlining Tehran’s demands, the Iranian Foreign Minister said they included lifting sanctions imposed after the Islamabad memorandum, reducing US military forces in the region, restoring oil waivers and releasing frozen Iranian funds.

“Our conditions include lifting the sanctions imposed following the Islamabad memorandum and reducing US forces in the region. We demand the restoration of oil waivers and the release of all our frozen funds, including those held in Qatar,” Araghchi said.

He further said Iran was seeking recognition of the shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz that Tehran had discussed with Oman, along with the closure of other routes.

“Reopening the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with our conditions paves the way for the resumption of negotiations with Washington regarding outstanding issues,” he added, according to Al Jazeera.

The proposal comes amid ongoing diplomatic exchanges between Washington and Tehran over a possible framework for negotiations, with Iran insisting that the US meet its conditions before peace talks can begin and the Strait of Hormuz can reopen.