Dubai, May 3: Iran’s latest proposal to the United States calls for issues between the two countries to be resolved within 30 days and aims to end the war rather than extend the ceasefire, according to Iran’s state-linked media.
Iran’s 14-point proposal calls for an end to the war, rather than just an extension of the truce.
The proposal, a rebuttal to the US nine-point plan, also calls for the US to lift sanctions on Iran, ending the naval blockade, withdrawing forces from the region, and ceasing all hostilities, including Israel’s operations in Lebanon, according to the semi-official Nour News agency, which has close ties to the country’s security organisations.
Iran sent its reply via a Pakistani intermediary, the news agency reported.
Pakistan has hosted previous negotiations between Iran and the United States.
US President Donald Trump rejected a previous Iranian proposal this week. However, conversations have continued, and the fragile three-week ceasefire appears to be holding.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al Busaidi, who oversaw previous rounds of talks between the US and Iran before the latest round of fighting.
The US president also offered a new plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, where about a fifth of the world’s trade in oil and natural gas typically passes.
Trump reviewing new Iranian proposal
President Trump said on Saturday that he was reviewing a new Iranian proposal to end the war but also expressed scepticism that it would lead to a deal.
“I’ll let you know about it later,” the US president said before boarding Air Force One, adding that “they’re going to give me the exact wording now.”
Shortly after speaking to reporters, Trump posted on social media about the new proposal, saying he “can’t imagine that it would be acceptable in that they have not yet paid a big enough price for what they have done to Humanity, and the World, over the last 47 years.”
Two semiofficial Iranian news outlets, Tasnim and Fars, believed to be close to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, said Iran has sent a 14-point proposal via Pakistan in response to a nine-point US proposal.
Iran’s state-run media have not reported on the new proposal. Pakistan has hosted previous negotiations between Iran and the United States.
Iran stands firm on Strait of Hormuz issues
Iran’s deputy parliament speaker said on Sunday that Iran “will not back down from our position on the Strait of Hormuz, and it will not return to its prewar conditions.”
Ali Nikzad, who has no decision-making power in parliament, made the comments while on a visit to port facilities on Iran’s strategic Larak Island, located close to the narrowest part of the strait.
“The Strait of Hormuz belongs to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said, adding that the country was working to compensate businesses and property damaged during the war, and that Trump’s blockade plan was certain to fail. Nikzad reiterated Iran’s position that any ships not associated with the US or Israel will be able to pass after paying a toll.
Iran effectively closed the strait by attacking and threatening ships after the US and Israel launched a war on February 28. Tehran later offered some ships safe passage via routes closer to its shore, charging fees at times. The US has responded with a naval blockade of Iranian ports since April 13, depriving Tehran of the oil revenue it needs to shore up its ailing economy.
US warns shipping companies
The US has warned shipping companies they could face sanctions for paying Iran to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz, adding pressure in the standoff over control of it.
The US on Friday warned against transfers not only in cash but also in “digital assets, offsets, informal swaps, or other in-kind payments,” including charitable donations and payments at Iranian embassies.
The US Central Command on Saturday said 48 commercial ships have been told to turn back.
Iran hangs two for spying
Iran on Saturday said it hanged two men convicted of spying for Israel.
The judiciary’s news outlet, Mizanonline, said Yaghoub Karimpour was accused of sending “sensitive information” to an officer in Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, while Nasser Bekrzadeh allegedly sent details about government and religious leaders as well as information about Natanz. The city is home to a nuclear enrichment facility bombed by Israel and the US last year.
Iran has hanged more than a dozen people over alleged espionage and terrorist activities in recent weeks. Rights groups say Iran routinely holds closed-door trials in which defendants are unable to challenge the accusations they face. (AP)
