Tehran puts the ball in Washington’s court<\/p>\n
The Iranian regime wanted Washington to formally declare that it was seeking a diplomatic solution and agree on a timetable for negotiations. <\/p>\n
Tehran’s proposal had been delivered to the US through mediators on September 16.<\/p>\n
The latest warning, however, adds a much shorter political deadline: Rezaei said Washington now has four to five days to meet Tehran’s conditions.<\/p>\n
Iranian officials have indicated that the conditions include lifting US sanctions and ending military action on all fronts. <\/p>\n
The Guardian reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi conveyed seven preconditions during discussions in New York, including the lifting of US sanctions and an end to the war on all fronts.<\/p>\n
Hormuz becomes diplomatic leverage<\/p>\n
The Strait of Hormuz links the Arabian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea and is a critical route for global energy shipments.<\/p>\n
Shipping through the waterway remains severely depressed. <\/p>\n
Preliminary data cited by Reuters showed 10 commodity vessels crossed Hormuz on Wednesday, up from seven the previous day but still below the 10-day average of about 17. <\/p>\n
The disruption has contributed to higher oil prices and raised concerns among major energy-importing economies, particularly in Asia.<\/p>\n
Iran warns of wider escalation<\/p>\n
The Hormuz ultimatum also comes with warnings that the conflict could spread beyond the immediate theatre.<\/p>\n
Senior Iranian military figures have suggested that any further US escalation could trigger Iranian retaliation elsewhere. <\/p>\n
Maj Gen Rahim Safavi warned that a new conflict front could emerge around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial shipping route near Yemen.<\/p>\n
Iranian officials have increasingly framed the crisis as a choice for Washington: reduce military pressure and pursue diplomacy, or face further escalation.<\/p>\n