Araghchi: Iran's proposal is the only one on the table to reopen Hormuz, a proposal cutting implementation to two days has been reached

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview on October 31 that Iran's proposal is the only one currently on the table for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, the Qatari side proposed reducing the implementation period of the Iranian proposal to 5 days. “At the current stage we have reached a proposal that shortens the implementation period to two days,” the minister said.

Araghchi listed Iran's conditions: the lifting of sanctions imposed after the Islamabad memorandum, a reduction of US forces in the region, the restoration of oil waivers and the release of all of Iran's frozen funds, including those in Qatar. The minister also set as conditions the recognition of the new shipping route Iran has defined with Oman in the Strait of Hormuz and the closure of the other routes, as well as the halting and ending of the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. “Reopening the Strait of Hormuz in line with our conditions paves the way for resuming negotiations with Washington on the outstanding issues,” he added.

Speaking about the letter from US Vice President JD Vance, Araghchi said: “We studied Vance's letter carefully and discussed it in high-level meetings.” He called the American side's attempt to open the door to dialogue and understanding more broadly a positive step, but added that if Washington's aim with the letter is to stir up divisions, it would be a new mistake added to its previous ones.

The minister said there are currently no plans to meet US officials and that reports on this are mere media speculation. “We do not currently see a need to meet the Americans. Our conditions are clear and the mediators are continuing their consultations on them,” he said. According to Araghchi, whether the negotiations will be direct or indirect will be decided after Washington accepts Iran's conditions.

Araghchi said an Iranian delegation has headed to Doha, while his deputy is in Qatar to continue consultations. According to him, Qatari and Pakistani mediators are continuing consultations on Iran's conditions; the mediators have also presented proposals on the nuclear issue, which Tehran is studying within the second phase. The minister thanked Qatar and Pakistan for their efforts and continuous contacts.

Araghchi stressed that Iran is a member of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and remains committed to its obligations under it, but said they are still very far from cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency returning to normal. He said they do not rule out any possibility regarding the outbreak of war and are ready for all scenarios: “We have upgraded our weapons, addressed weak points, tested new weapons, and our forces are at the highest level of readiness.” The minister said they do not deny the economic pressure, but will not surrender or give up their dignity.

The remarks came hours after a Qatari delegation left the Iranian capital following talks in Tehran. The Islamabad memorandum mentioned by Araghchi is the agreement reached between the US and Iran in June that sets the terms for peace talks. In August, Araghchi said Iran and Oman were very close to an agreement on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.