Iran Holds to Terms for Reopening Hormuz, Awaits Formal US Reply

Iran said it will maintain its existing conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s rejection of the proposal, and will await a formal response from Washington.

Bloomberg reported on September 27 that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on state broadcaster IRIB a day earlier that the U.S. final position had not yet been conveyed through mediators Qatar and Pakistan. While acknowledging Trump’s remarks, he said only a negotiated settlement could break the deadlock over the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. and Iranian negotiators had previously discussed a plan under which Iran would reopen the strait in exchange for the U.S. lifting its blockade of Iranian ports, according to the report. The proposal was similar to a memorandum of understanding the two sides reached in mid-June, though the ceasefire tied to that agreement later collapsed.

Trump, however, told reporters as he left the White House on September 26 that he had rejected Iran’s proposal. He said Iran was seeking an immediate agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after finding itself at a disadvantage in the war. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump doubts Iran’s willingness to carry out any agreement and is considering the possibility of resuming airstrikes on Iran after the U.S. midterm elections in November.

Military tensions in the Middle East have continued as talks remain deadlocked. The Saudi-backed coalition in Yemen said on September 26 that it intercepted two drones launched by Houthi rebels toward the capital, Riyadh, and one ballistic missile aimed at the southern city of Khamis Mushait. About a week earlier, missile fire triggered an air raid alert in Riyadh.

Iran is also holding to its existing position on restoring normal passage through the Strait of Hormuz and on its nuclear program. President Masoud Pezeshkian said at the United Nations General Assembly last week that Iran would not allow free navigation through the strait as long as U.S. sanctions and the blockade remain in place. He also said Iran would not give up its right to develop nuclear technology for economic purposes.

The U.S. and Iran could still continue negotiations over reopening the strait and lifting the blockade, but tensions in the Middle East are persisting as the two sides have yet to narrow their differences over the terms.