Iran pledges Hormuz Strait reopening a month after US deal
Photo: A ship in the Strait of Hormuz (Getty Images)
The US and Iran are discussing a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz approximately 30 days after both sides reach an agreement to cease hostilities, according to Nikkei.
The agency writes that Iran will continue demining the strait for 30 days after the agreement is reached. After that, ships from all countries will be able to sail freely and safely, as they did before the actual closure. Iran will not charge transit fees, Nikkei adds.
The ceasefire, agreed upon by the US and Iran in early April, is to be extended for 60 days.
The agency reports that the plan is to hold negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program during this two-month pause in hostilities. Specific measures regarding the handling of Iran’s enriched uranium will be developed.
The lifting of US sanctions and the unfreezing of Iranian assets will be implemented in stages.
The agency also reports that Lebanon is among the territories where hostilities will cease. Iran has demanded that Israel stop its attacks on Hezbollah as a condition for ending the conflict. Meanwhile, Israel is demanding the disarmament of Hezbollah.
However, the approval of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is said to be key to the proposed agreement. It remains unclear whether a final agreement will be reached.
Latest on US-Iran relations
The Iranian side is not as optimistic about reaching an agreement with the US as soon as Washington is. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with a representative of the Pakistani mediator, after which he stated that both sides are close to reaching an agreement to end the war.
Meanwhile, the day before, Iran and Qatar discussed a potential peace agreement with Washington, the approval of which is not considered inevitable.
