Photo: EPA
Iran says it remains open to negotiations and offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if Washington lifts its naval blockade.
Iran remains open to talks with the United States under a temporary agreement reached in June through Pakistani mediation to end the war, Tehran’s ambassador to Islamabad, Reza Amiri Moghadam, said on Saturday, October 24. He accused Washington of undermining diplomatic efforts, the Associated Press reported.
Moghadam said Iran had conveyed through Pakistan its willingness to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if Washington lifted its naval blockade. He accused US President Donald Trump of rejecting the proposal while insisting that the blockade of Iranian ports remain in place.
Pakistan and Qatar helped broker the June agreement, which aimed to restore shipping through the strait, end the US naval blockade and launch negotiations on a broader deal addressing Iran’s nuclear program.
Moghadam said Iranian officials had expressed their willingness to reopen the waterway during a visit to Tehran by Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, on the condition that Washington end the blockade.
The New York Times has reported that US and Israeli military officials have developed detailed plans to resume strikes on Iran after the US midterm elections. However, it remains uncertain whether Trump will approve renewed attacks, having repeatedly declined to restart large-scale military operations.
Experts also question whether renewed fighting would be more successful than previous rounds of intensive US and Israeli strikes. During earlier phases of the war, Iran’s leadership became increasingly unwilling to compromise. Tehran has already threatened to target internet cables and data centers in the Persian Gulf if the United States and Israel resume their attacks.
The war between the United States and Iran has driven fuel prices to record highs and caused shortages of fertilizers and other commodities. Tehran has targeted critical energy infrastructure across the Persian Gulf, the world’s leading oil-producing region, while disrupting key export routes.
The Financial Times reported that the United States is preparing for a prolonged confrontation with Iran while hoping that airstrikes and economic sanctions will force Tehran to make substantial concessions.
