Iran Offers 7-Day Plan To Reopen The Strait Of Hormuz

Less than 24 hours after declaring its military on the highest state of alert and in "battle positions," and voicing concern over an American strike, Iran issued a statement this evening (Saturday night) saying that it had passed Qatar a proposal for negotiations with the United States.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that "through Qatar, a specific seven-day plan was conveyed, according to which, if the required conditions are met, it will be possible to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume regular maritime traffic within seven days."

It should be noted that U.S. President Donald Trump hardened his position this week. Contrary to the memorandum of understanding from June, he recently demanded that negotiations begin with halting Iran’s nuclear program, and only afterward address Iran’s demands to lift the naval blockade and sanctions, and to release $12 billion of its frozen funds. The Iranians did not agree to this.

The commander of U.S. Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, said today that "the United States has so far prevented Iran from exporting $25 billion worth of oil and has frozen Iranian crypto assets worth $350 million." According to him, "as a result of the economic pressure, the Iranian regime is delaying salary payments and harming pension rights in many sectors, including energy, industry, construction, aviation, automotive, and defense."

According to reports in the United States, "the Iranians’ violation of the memorandum of understanding made clear to Trump that with the current regime in Iran, not only is it impossible to reach compromises through diplomatic channels — it is not even clear whether the Iranian representatives have the authority to agree to anything."