Washington, Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on the sixth day of a proposed seven-day plan and resume nuclear negotiations with the United States on the seventh, but Washington rejected the proposal because it demanded sanctions relief and access to frozen assets at the outset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would open the vital shipping passage if the United States ended the conflict, removed its blockade, released Iranian assets and allowed the country to sell oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur proposal is very clear. We are ready to open the Strait if certain things are done by the US,\u201d Araghchi told NBC\u2019s \u201cMeet the Press\u201d on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe want our moneys, our assets, which are illegally frozen, to be released. We want, you know, to be able to sell our oil,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Araghchi said the steps sought by Iran could be completed within four or five days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf they want \u2014 if they are serious that they want a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, now there is the possibility,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have offered this seven-day plan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strait would reopen on day six, with negotiations on a broader agreement beginning the next day, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he was rejecting the Iranian offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey want to make a deal where they open the strait immediately because they\u2019re losing so badly,\u201d Trump said. \u201cBut we\u2019re winning tremendously. We have total control of the Hormuz Strait.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said the proposal required Washington to make extensive concessions before substantive negotiations began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey were asking for everything up front,\u201d Waltz told CNN\u2019s \u201cState of the Union\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Waltz said Iran wanted relief from US and UN sanctions and access to billions of dollars in frozen assets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe bottom line is, they were asking for everything up front with a promise that they would then talk,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Waltz accused Iran of violating an earlier memorandum of understanding by attacking international shipping. Tehran disputes the US account and says Washington violated previous agreements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe president\u2019s just not confident that the Iranians are coming in good faith and that we will truly negotiate the end of their nuclear programme,\u201d Waltz said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Araghchi said Iran was still waiting for an official response delivered through mediators despite Trump\u2019s public rejection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt the same time, we are ready for diplomacy,\u201d he said. \u201cBut, and now there is a very reasonable plan on the table. If they reject it with no reason, this is their fault.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian separately told CBS\u2019s \u201cFace the Nation\u201d that Tehran was prepared to proceed in stages under a framework based on the earlier memorandum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cObviously, we will abide by whatever we commit to,\u201d Pezeshkian said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also indicated that Iran could negotiate limits and inspections for its nuclear programme but blamed the United States and Israel for attacking Iranian nuclear sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWithin the framework of the NPT and the other existing frameworks, all of these issues are matters that can be agreed upon,\u201d Pezeshkian said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Araghchi said Iran remained prepared for renewed military action while keeping diplomacy available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are fully prepared for the war to be resumed,\u201d he said. \u201cBut at the same time, we are ready, we stand ready for diplomacy. It is up to President Trump to choose.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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