PiCK

Iran Proposes Reopening Strait of Hormuz Before Nuclear Talks, Axios Says

Source

Suehyeon Lee

Summary

Iran proposed to the US, through Pakistani mediation, a plan that would first secure agreement on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to the war.
The report said accepting the plan could weaken US negotiating leverage and means of pressure by lifting the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The White House said it would not negotiate through the media and would agree only to terms that do not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons.

Forecast Trend Report by Period

*Photo: somkanae sawatdinak/Shutterstock*

Iran has sent the US a new proposal through Pakistani mediation as talks between Washington and Tehran remain deadlocked, Axios reported on April 26.

Under the proposal, Iran wants the two sides to first agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, with nuclear negotiations deferred to a later stage, according to the report.

The plan appears aimed at breaking the impasse and bypassing internal divisions in Iran over its nuclear program. Iran's leadership is divided over whether to halt uranium enrichment and over the scope of any disposal of nuclear materials.

The proposal also poses a risk for the US. If the Strait of Hormuz is reopened and a ceasefire is reached first, Washington could lose leverage in subsequent nuclear talks.

President Donald Trump has previously emphasized his commitment to maintaining the maritime blockade. In a recent interview, he said Iran would face severe pressure if its oil exports were cut off, signaling that the blockade is being used as a bargaining chip.

Negotiations between the two countries made no progress over the weekend. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Pakistan for talks, but they ended without a clear outcome. He then traveled through Oman before returning to Pakistan for further discussions, Axios reported.

Iran coordinated the proposal with mediating countries including Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, according to the report. The plan has been delivered to the White House, though it is not yet clear whether the US will accept it.

The White House said the US does not negotiate through the media and that any agreement would be possible only on terms that do not allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons.