US accepted Iran’s seven-day proposal but sought additional terms: Araghchi
US accepted Iran’s seven-day proposal but sought additional terms: Araghchi
M.U.H
21/10/202616
Tehran: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the United States has agreed to the conditions outlined in Iran’s seven-day initiative but has requested the addition of several clauses.
Araghchi made the remarks in an interview with Iraq’s Al Ekhbariya television network, confirming that diplomatic contacts between the two sides remain ongoing.
“We have previously presented an initiative to the American side under the title of the seven-day plan, in which we explicitly stated our conditions. The Strait of Hormuz was supposed to be fully reopened on the sixth day of this period. The Americans informed us that they agreed to these conditions, but they wanted to add a few more clauses,” he said.
Explaining the rationale behind the initiative, Araghchi said Iran sought to keep the path of diplomacy open, provided the other side honored its commitments.
He argued that Washington, rather than Tehran, was blocking progress and said the United States needed to implement the conditions to which it had previously committed itself.
“If they adhere to these conditions, they should know that the strait will be fully reopened, and after that, we will hold further rounds of negotiations until a final agreement is reached,” Araghchi said.
Addressing questions about tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and allegations of Iranian involvement in developments in the Red Sea, the foreign minister rejected any connection between Tehran and the latter issue.
“The issue of the Red Sea and the developments taking place there have absolutely nothing to do with us and have their own particular circumstances,” he said.
Araghchi reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz would not be fully reopened to all until an understanding or agreement was reached, stressing that Washington must accept Iran’s conditions for passage by ships and vessels.
Until then, he warned, maritime traffic through the strait and its existing routes would face difficulties.
Under a 14-point Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), between Iran and the US, Washington is required to end the war on all fronts and lift its illegal blockade and sanctions on Iran in return for Tehran’s gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran brought the strategic waterway under its control in March in the early days of the US-Israeli aggression against the country.
