US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Iran wants to open the Strait of Hormuz immediately because it is in trouble. “Money is not coming in because its revenue comes through the Strait of Hormuz. We have imposed the biggest blockade in military history there. It is like an iron wall.”
In fact, two days ago, Iran presented the US with a seven-day plan to halt the war. Iran says the fighting must stop first and that restrictions on its oil sales must be eased.
After this, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened on the seventh day, followed by new talks on Iran’s nuclear programme. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said that it now depends on the US whether it wants to end the conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sent the proposal to halt the war to the US through mediating countries.
Pezeshkian had arrived to deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly on 23 September. He also displayed a picture of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran sent proposal after Trump’s warning
Iran’s proposal came at a time when tensions between the United States and Iran are at their peak. Speaking at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Pezeshkian said Iran would not bow to US pressure.
A day earlier, US President Donald Trump had warned that the United States could “completely destroy” Iran if no agreement was reached.
US Had Attacked Five Iranian Oil Tankers
The US military attacked five oil tankers linked to Iran on 8 September. A few hours later, Iran fired 20 ballistic missiles towards a US military base in Jordan. According to the Jordanian military, its air defence systems intercepted 18 of the missiles, while two fell in areas away from populated locations.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) had said that Iran had twice attempted to target a US Navy warship with ballistic missiles. The attack on the oil tankers linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was carried out in response.
Iran later said it had attacked 10 ships in the Strait of Hormuz. They included two US ships and eight oil tankers. During the same period, Iran also seized an American submarine drone.
US-Iran war has been under way since 28 February
The US and Israel launched military action against Iran on 28 February. In response, Iran carried out attacks on Israel and Gulf countries where US military bases are located.
The US says its aim is to weaken Iran’s nuclear capability. Iran, meanwhile, has repeatedly said that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes and that it has the right to use nuclear technology.