Iran said it was awaiting a “final” response to its latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, despite US President Donald Trump’s public rejection of the proposal.
According to the plan, if the United States meets certain conditions, including lifting the naval blockade and lifting oil sanctions, Iran would open vital waterways and restart nuclear negotiations within a week.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Aragushi said: “We have seen the initial reaction of the US president, but we have not heard anything from the mediator yet.”
He added: “Of course, the president of the United States said a lot of good things, but he also said a lot of contradictory things, but unfortunately we have heard a lot from him. We are waiting for the final opinion from the arbitrator and we will make a decision based on that.”
President Trump on Saturday rejected Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, calling it “unacceptable.”
A week after Iranian officials traveled to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly and meet with U.S. officials, President Trump’s comments suggested that no tangible diplomatic progress had been made.
“They want an immediate agreement to open the strait because they are losing so badly,” he added. “They want an agreement and I think that’s fine. I like an agreement too, but such an agreement would be unacceptable.”
Iran’s foreign minister did not elaborate on the exact terms, but said they were no more than what was contained in the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed in June but collapsed soon after amid a resumption of hostilities.
“If the necessary conditions are met, the strait can be reopened and normal shipping routes will be restored within seven days. The choice now rests with the United States,” Arraguchi told reporters during a visit to New York to attend this week’s United Nations General Assembly.
“You cannot bomb a country, threaten to destroy a country, impose naval blockades and coercive measures, and expect security and navigation to be automatically restored,” Arraguchi added.
In response to Araguchi’s comments, a White House official previously told CNN that they were having “positive and constructive discussions through a mediator.”
“The United States is in a very strong position with sea control in the Strait of Hormuz, so we are not in a hurry,” the official said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a similar note earlier this week, saying, “If we get a deal with Iran…it’s going to take a lot of effort over a period of time.”
The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing U.S. officials, that President Trump told his staff that another bombing campaign was likely after the upcoming midterm elections. Officials reportedly said President Trump’s views could change in the coming weeks.
CNN has reached out to the White House for comment on this report.
“I have a big decision to make: Will we get a deal with Iran that will allow Iran to rebuild and build a much greater country than it has ever been?” President Trump said in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly.
“Or do it quickly to annihilate the Islamic Republic and never give them another opportunity to kill and destroy people and countries.”
This story has been updated with additional details.
