Iran Proposes Reopening Hormuz, Delaying Nuclear Talks as FM Arrives in Russia
Iran has offered the US a new proposal, via Pakistani mediators, to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war. However, the proposal postpones nuclear negotiations to a later stage.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Russia on Monday for a scheduled meeting with President Vladimir Putin amid an active diplomatic push that included two visits to Pakistan and one to Oman.
New Iranian Proposal
Iran proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz and delaying nuclear talks to a later stage, Axios reported citing a US official and two sources with knowledge. The proposal emerged as negotiations with the US to end the war reached a deadlock.
According to one source, Araghchi clarified to the Pakistani, Egyptian, Turkish and Qatari mediators that the Iranian leadership lacks consensus over the nuclear issue.
Under the new Iranian proposal, conveyed to Americans through Pakistan, Tehran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and Washington will lift its naval blockade. Both sides will extend the ceasefire or agree on a permanent end to the war.
Negotiations over the nuclear issue will be postponed to a later stage. The US calls for a decade-long suspension of Iranian enrichment activities and the removal of its enriched stockpiles. Iran, however, insists on its right to enrich uranium, saying it is for peaceful purposes.
Negotiations Stalemate
Talks between the US and Iran have reached a deadlock after a planned round in Pakistan was cancelled. The Iranian Foreign Minister left Islamabad following a short visit on Friday and US President Donald Trump scrapped his envoys visit to the country.
“If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone. We have nice, secure lines,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News.
“They know what has to be in the agreement. It’s very simple: They cannot have a nuclear weapon, otherwise there’s no reason to meet,” he added.
On the other side, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday that Tehran rejects “imposed negotiations” under threats or blockade. He demanded the removal of US naval blockade and other obstacles before working on a foundation for a settlement.
US Next Steps
Three US officials told Axios that Trump will convene his top national security and foreign policy officials for a Situation Room meeting on Iran on Monday. The meeting will likely discuss the current deadlock in the talks and potential next steps, according to one source.
In his interview with Fox News, Trump suggested that the naval blockade on Iranian ports will remain in place in a bid to pressure Tehran.
“When you have vast amounts of oil pouring through your system … if for any reason this line is closed because you can’t put it into containers or ships … what happens is that line explodes from within. … They say they only have about three days before that happens,” he said.
Araghchi-Putin Talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi landed in Russia on Monday, where he will meet with Putin and Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in St. Petersburg, reported IRNA news agency.
Araghchi said that his trip to Russia provides an opportunity to enhance coordination with Moscow. “It is a good opportunity for us to consult with our Russian friends about the developments that have occurred in relation to the war during this period and what is happening now,” he said.
He blamed the US’ “excessive demands” for stalling the talks in Islamabad. “The previous one, despite the progress that had been made, could not achieve its goals,” he added.
Russia is a key ally for Iran. It has offered to receive Iran’s enriched uranium, proposing to store or reprocess it on Russian soil as part of a potential US-Iran deal.
On the occasion of Araghchi’s visit, Tehran’s ambassador to Mocow, Kazem Jalali, said the visit will focus on “coordinating interactions and advancing joint programs at the regional and international levels.”
Furthermore, he portrayed the partnership between Iran and Russia as “a united front in the campaign of the world’s totalitarian forces against independent and justice-seeking countries, as well as countries that seek a world free from unilateralism and Western domination.”
Iranian Diplomatic Maneuvering
Araghchi’s visit to Russia came on the heels of two trips to Pakistan and a visit to Oman. On Sunday, the Iranian top diplomat met with the Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq al-Said in Muscat. During their meeting, they discussed bilateral relations, regional developments and the status of the Strait of Hormuz.
“Important discussions on bilateral matters and regional developments. As only Hormuz littoral states, our focus included ways to ensure safe transit that is to benefit of all dear neighbors and the world. Our neighbors are our priority,” Araghchi posted on X.
Araghchi also discussed the Hormuz issue with his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi. “As littoral states, we recognize our shared responsibility to the international community and the urgent humanitarian need to free the seafarers held for far too long. Much diplomacy is required and practical solutions to ensure lasting freedom of navigation,” the Omani Foreign Minister said.
After his visit to Oman, Araghchi returned to Islamabad for another meeting with senior Pakistani officials, where they discussed “implementing a new legal regime over the Strait of Hormuz, receiving compensation, guaranteeing no renewed military aggression by warmongers, and lifting the naval blockade,” according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.
