Iran offers a two-day Hormuz reopening as Tehran waits for Washington's answer
TEHRAN — Iran says it has put a new proposal to Washington through Qatari mediators and that the next move belongs to the United States, as tankers were reportedly hit near the Strait of Hormuz and both sides traded warnings.
Tehran says that if the United States accepts its demands, security will be restored in the strait and negotiations will start within a short time. Its latest plan would see partial reopening enforced after two days, instead of the seven days proposed earlier. Iran asks Washington to lift its naval blockade, grant waivers on oil sanctions, release frozen overseas assets, halt fighting on all regional fronts, including Lebanon, and recognize an arrangement between Iran and Oman over the strait.
Talks were held in Tehran on Friday and in Qatar on Saturday. President Donald Trump said they were going fine but that the war would end very soon "one way or the other", warning that Iran must make a deal or face force. Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has called for maximum deterrence and a response to any attack that would not be limited geographically. At least four tankers were reportedly hit on Friday and Saturday, and a maritime security agency said an LPG vessel was struck about 40 nautical miles south of Lavan Island.
The United States holds midterm elections on Tuesday.
Algeria has consistently called for a negotiated settlement and respect for the UN Charter, and its foreign minister has discussed efforts to end the Gulf escalation with his Iranian counterpart. As an OPEC member and a major gas supplier to Europe, Algeria also has a direct interest in stable energy markets and open shipping lanes. International law protects freedom of navigation, and civilian shipping should not be a target.
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