New Delhi: Iran has hinted that it could allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen within two days if the US meets its demands, as talks are being held between the two via third-party mediators.
“Following the exchange of messages between Tehran and Washington through third-party meditators, we will see what happens, whether our conditions are met by the U.S.,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told reporters on Monday.
“Another sign of our sincerity can be seen in the fact that this plan can be implemented within two days,” Baqaei told AFP.
“If their conditions are met then we can return to peace within the strait (of Hormuz) and quickly return to negotiations.”
Iran’s Conditions
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi also commented on the announcement during an interview with Al Jazeera on Sunday.
The foreign minister said the U.S. needed to agree to the conditions set out by Iran and Oman. Reductions to the number of U.S. troops in the region and an end to sanctions imposed in recent months were also required.
He added that there needs to be recognition given to the shipping lanes within the strait.
He said Qatar had originally wanted to reduce the time it takes to implement Iran’s proposal from the original proposal of Iran’s proposal to five days. This has now been reduced to two days.
“We have set conditions. We want the sanctions lifted that were imposed after the Islamabad memorandum and a reduction of U.S. forces in the region.”
Iran has also requested an end to oil waivers and the unfreezing of all of Iran’s money including that held in Qatar.
U.S. Refuses to Acknowledge Hormuz Belongs to Iran
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital shipping lane for the world with nearly one fifth of the world’s crude oil passing through.
Iran has closed the waters since the start of hostilities on February 28 and has claimed ownership of the area. It has also attacked ships trying to pass through.
The U.S. has insisted the strait should stay open and that Iran cannot claim ownership. The country has also placed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Iran’s latest suggestion is that if their conditions are met, they will allow the Strait to re-open. If Washington agrees to the conditions set out by Tehran there will be progress.