Tehran/Washington, DC: In a new proposal to the US, Iran has reportedly called for lifting of the naval blockade on its ports and shipping and subsequent reopening of the Strait of Hormuz before negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Axios reported that the new proposal was presented to Washington via Pakistan.
It focuses on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the closure of which has deepened a global energy crisis, ending the war, and postponing the nuclear talks, the report said, citing a US official and two sources, as per Hindustan Times.
Tehran has proposed that the ceasefire be extended for a longer period or both sides agree to permanently cease hostilities.
Iran has also proposed that nuclear negotiations begin at a later stage, only after the Strait is reopened and
the US naval blockade on Iranian ports is lifted, it has been reported.
The proposal has reportedly received the proposal. Whether the Trump administration would explore the new deal is unclear though.
The US won’t negotiate such “sensitive diplomatic” issues through the press, White House spokesperson Olivia Wales told Axios.
“As the president has said, the United States holds the cards and will only make a deal that puts the American people first, never allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon,” Wales added.
This comes barely days after the proposed second round of negotiations between Washington and Tehran failed to take off. US president Donald Trump cancelled his envoy’s visit to Pakistan for a fresh round of peace talks after Iran refused to attend.
Special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were to visit Islamabad for the talks, but Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi left Pakistan before they left the US.
“I see no point in sending them on an 18-hour flight in the current situation. It’s too long,” Trump said, adding that too much time was wasted on travelling.
“If they (Iran) want to talk, all they have to do is call,” the US president said.