Iran proposes ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz; US remains skeptical

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told journalists at the UN in New York that this could be done "if the necessary conditions are met" and stated that these were foreseen in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in June.

"The choice is now up to the United States," he said, adding that the plan was delivered to the US via Qatar.

Asked about the Iranian offer, an American official told the BBC that positive discussions were taking place through mediators, including on nuclear issues.

Although the US has not yet submitted its official response to the proposal, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing US officials, reported that US President Donald Trump has rejected the deal.

According to the newspaper, Trump also told advisers that he hopes to resume bombings against Iran after the US legislative elections in November. Officials cited by the newspaper said that privately, Trump remains skeptical that Iran will meet his demands and considers a new bombing campaign likely.

The Iranian proposal provided for a seven-day ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of negotiations on the nuclear program in exchange for the US lifting the blockade of Iranian ports, which has been causing serious damage to the country's economy.

According to authorities cited by the WSJ, the US informed Iran and the mediators that Trump does not intend to lift the maritime blockade.

The United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on February 28. Iran responded by attacking Israel and American bases in the Persian Gulf and US Arab allies in the region, as well as blocking the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump was reportedly privately skeptical that Iran would meet his demands and had told his team that he considered a resumption of the bombing campaign likely.

About 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas used to pass through the strait before the war, and its closure has caused wild swings in energy prices.

It has also increased pressure on Trump to find a way to end the conflict, especially as the US prepares for congressional elections in November.

"If the necessary conditions are met, the strait could be reopened and normal sea passage restored within seven days," Araghchi told reporters.

He did not specify what steps Iran wanted the US to take, but added that "the actions that the United States should take are not new. They are all already in the memorandum of understanding."

"I can say that if the United States is really committed to reaching an agreement and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, everything is already prepared," he added.

An American official told the BBC that the US is "in a very strong position, with control of the Strait of Hormuz, so we are in no rush."

In an interview with CBS News, the BBC's US partner, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that the ceasefire process "will begin the same day it is accepted."

"We had already reached an agreement based on the memorandum of understanding signed in Pakistan...if the United States agrees to proceed in this way, everything will return to the way it was before," he added.

Pezeshkian also stated that Iran will now allow UN nuclear inspectors into the country.

Rejecting allegations that Iran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon, the Iranian president said: "If they wish to come in and do inspections, we can reach agreements and understandings on that specific topic within the negotiations."

The memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran, signed on June 18, aimed to establish a ceasefire and at least partially reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The 14-point agreement stated that Iran would never have a nuclear weapon. It stated that the US, Iran and their allies would end military operations on "all fronts" and contained provisions that included the end of the American naval blockade and the easing of sanctions.

The statement also said Iran would "make every effort to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels" through the strait and would hold talks with Oman on future navigation agreements.

But the agreement fell apart shortly after, when both sides resumed strikes.

Iran attacked vessels that it said attempted to cross the Strait of Hormuz without authorization.

The US has attacked Iranian facilities in the strait, as well as Iranian oil tankers off the country's coast. They also maintained a blockade of Iranian ports, causing enormous disruption to Iran's economy.

Trump has since claimed that the US has been successful in extracting oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

Shipping data shows a recent 10-day average of about 18 transits per day, with daily numbers dropping as low as nine vessels on certain days, according to Kpler, a commodities data and analytics company cited by Reuters.

However, Yemen's Houthis - Iran's allies - have recently stepped up attacks aimed at disrupting Saudi Arabia's oil exports through the Red Sea on the other side of the Arabian peninsula.

The group seized large, strategically important stretches of the Red Sea coast in a swift offensive this month, including the port of Mokha, which overlooks the Bab al-Mandab Strait, another chokepoint for global shipping.

The situation was worsened by Houthi attacks on Saudi oil installations. The American press reported that the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, requested military support for Trump.

On Saturday, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen claimed to have intercepted two ballistic missiles and drones launched by the Houthis towards Saudi Arabia.

During his speech to the UN General Assembly this week, Trump said he believed a deal with Iran, which has so far eluded him, would be reached shortly after the November elections.

"Will it be possible to reach an agreement with Iran that allows them to rebuild and create a country much greater than it has ever been?" he asked.

"Or should I annihilate the Islamic Republic quickly, without ever giving them the chance to kill and destroy people and countries again? Should I send them to hell?"

On Friday, Araghchi said Iran does not accept "coercion, threats or intimidation" and added that "peace cannot be built through threats of annihilation."