Iran‘s foreign minister said a proposal has been reached that would fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz in just two days as talks with mediators remain on track. However, Iran’s supreme leader has threatened an immediate response to a potential attack — one without “geographic limits” — as diplomatic efforts continue in an effort to reduce the threat of a return to all-out war.
Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s top diplomat said that a new proposal has been reached with mediators that would shorten the time to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to two days. He said that Iranian diplomats were in Qatar for discussions.
Last month, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi floated a proposal to reopen the critical waterway within a week if the U.S. agreed to lift its blockade of Iranian ports, release frozen Iranian assets and waive sanctions on Iranian oil sales, among other conditions. That was rejected.
In an interview with Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera, Araghchi also said that Iran isn’t planning to meet with U.S. officials, but said that recent American efforts toward “broader dialogue” are considered a positive step. Araghchi said a decision on whether negotiations will be direct or indirect would be made “once Washington agrees to Iran’s conditions.”
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Iranian Supreme Leader Warns US, Israel
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said that “any kind and level of threat” from the U.S. or Israel should face an immediate response — one without geographic limits — the official IRNA news agency reported.State media said that Khamenei, who hasn’t been seen publicly since the war began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, made the comments while meeting with military chiefs. He also called for an updated list of potential U.S. and Israeli targets.
Khamenei became supreme leader after the first wave of strikes killed his father and other high-ranking officials. He has been meeting with a series of senior officials in recent weeks, according to state media.
Iran’s security chief says US tone has changed
The head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said that he has not responded to a letter from U.S. Vice President JD Vance and that “the tone has completely changed.”
Major General Mohsen Rezaei in the new interview with state television called the change in tone a “very good sign.” He also said he had not responded.
The comments came as urgent diplomatic efforts are said to continue in an effort to avoid a return to all-out war with the United States.