Iran offers two day plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Teheran says it can clear the waterway and restart nuclear talks with Washington in 48 hours, cutting the expected timeline in half.
By Salma Farouk ·
Iran announced on Monday that it has a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear talks with the United States within two days.
The statement shortened a previous timeline that called for seven days to implement the measure. The announcement came as regional leaders prepared for a possible return to fighting. The chief Iranian diplomat said on Sunday that he expected the United States to choose diplomacy over other options.
Iran previously stated that the plan would require the U.S. to meet seven conditions. These included lifting the blockade on Iranian ports. The new proposal requires ships to follow a route agreed upon by Iran and Oman. Vessels must also travel under Iranian supervision. Iranian officials also said the U.S. must remove sanctions on Iranian oil sales and agree to a ceasefire that includes Lebanon.
Esmail Baghaei, the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the plan remains the foundation for negotiations with Washington. The talks are proceeding through mediators despite the shorter implementation window. Baghaei stated, "This demonstrates once again Iran's good faith approach." He did not indicate that Tehran changed its demands or that Washington accepted the proposal.
President Donald Trump has publicly shifted between seeking diplomacy and threatening heavy bombing of Iran. In the Gulf, China is moving to expand its influence in the region. China depends on the area for a large share of its oil imports.
A separate United Nations report said more than 300,000 Yemenis have fled recent fighting. The UN Migration Agency noted that displaced people are struggling to find shelter and basic needs. Aid groups face limited access to those in need. The fighting resumed between Iran backed Houthi rebels and Saudi backed government forces. This conflict broke a four year truce.
The southwestern province of Taiz continues to receive displaced families, but many are moving south to Aden. Aden has already taken in more than 56,000 people, according to the International Organization for Migration. Abdusattor Esoev, the head of the IOM mission in Yemen, said families are fleeing with little more than the clothes on their backs. He added, "They urgently need shelter, food, drinking water, and medical care."
China said on Monday that it will send a special envoy to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia in early or mid November. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the envoy will focus on easing tensions. President Xi Jinping told the Sultan of Oman that the Gulf should not become a stage for great power rivalry. Meanwhile, two men died in Israeli airstrikes in southern Gaza early Monday, according to Nasser Hospital. The Israeli military did not immediately comment.
