Iran tells US, '7-day plan to open Hormuz still valid'

Urging acceptance of M.I.… Disagreements remain on issues related to Iran's nuclear program

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Shin-young = Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi urged the United States to accept the '7-day trust-building plan' presented to the United States to open the Strait of Hormuz, saying it is still valid.

According to Reuters, Minister Araghchi visited Baghdad, Iraq, on the 18th (local time) to attend the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and said, "The 7-day proposal presented to the United States is still valid and our position is clear. If the United States is sincere, the way to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is clear."

These remarks came as war clouds in the Middle East deepened as Iran increased the level of attacks on merchant ships to block crude oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and Yemen's pro-Iranian rebels, the Houthis, focused their airstrikes on Saudi Arabia.

The trust-building plan on the 7th is a plan that Iran proposed to the United States at the UN General Assembly last month.

Although specific details have not been disclosed, foreign media reports suggest that the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened if the US fulfills conditions such as lifting the US maritime blockade, immediate return of frozen funds, exemption from sanctions on Iranian crude oil exports, and cessation of fighting on all fronts.

Minister Aragchi said that if the United States accepts Iran's terms, the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened within six days and negotiations can resume on the seventh day.

U.S. President Donald Trump immediately announced his intention to reject Iran's proposal, but left the door to negotiations open, saying there would be additional talks a day later.

Afterwards, Iran requested additional expression of its position, saying that although the United States responded to this proposal on the 11th, only some of the conditions were met and the remaining issues were still insufficient.

Reuters pointed out that the difference of opinion between the two sides was related to Iran's nuclear program.

The United States has insisted that the nuclear program issue be addressed from the beginning of negotiations with Iran.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance also said earlier this month that Iran must reduce its uranium enrichment capacity to meaningful levels to meet U.S. demands and end the war.

However, Iran has argued that the focus of negotiations should first be on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring safe passage.