Iran has given the United States six days to respond to its conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, as British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York amid heightened tensions over the vital shipping route.
Araghchi said Iran had sent Washington a proposal through mediators and was awaiting a response. Under the proposal, Tehran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the US agrees to its conditions.
According to the proposal outlined by Araghchi, Iran is seeking the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports and sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to military operations across the region.
Araghchi said Tehran wants these conditions to be implemented before the Strait of Hormuz is reopened.
Miliband said Britain remained committed to freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and supported a diplomatic resolution to the standoff. He also raised British concerns with Araghchi regarding Iran’s activities in the UK and sought consular access to British nationals detained in Iran.
The US and Iran continue to discuss Tehran’s proposal, with Washington yet to accept Iran’s conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the discussions were significant but did not amount to a major breakthrough, while President Donald Trump said he remained open to reaching a deal.
Strait of Hormuz at centre of regional crisis
The talks come as the Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of a wider regional crisis.
The waterway is one of the world’s most important routes for energy shipments. Prolonged disruption could affect oil supplies, shipping costs and international trade.
The crisis has also spread to other strategic trade routes.
Iran-backed Houthi forces have seized parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and control the Bab al-Mandab Strait, while Saudi Arabia has faced renewed Houthi attacks.
The developments have raised concerns about possible disruption to another major maritime route connecting the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean.
