Iran Offers to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Within a Week if Conditions Met

New York. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Iran has offered to open the Strait of Hormuz to America within a week. Araghchi said this while talking to journalists at the United Nations in New York, stating that this could be done 'if the necessary conditions are met.' According to him, those conditions are included in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in June. Informing that this plan was conveyed to America through Qatar, he said, 'Now the ball is in America's court.' When asked about the Iranian proposal, a US official informed that positive discussions are ongoing on nuclear and other issues through mediators. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump had threatened to 'annihilate the Islamic Republic.' On February 28, America and Israel had carried out airstrikes on Iran. In response, Iran had attacked Israeli and American bases in the Gulf, as well as the US's Arab allies in the Gulf, and had closed the Strait of Hormuz. Before the war, about 20 percent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas used to pass through this waterway, and its closure has caused significant fluctuations in energy prices. This has also increased pressure on Trump to find a solution to end the conflict. This pressure has increased especially as America moves towards the congressional elections in November. Araghchi told journalists, 'If the necessary conditions are met, the waterway can be reopened, and normal sea routes can be restored within seven days.' He did not clarify the steps that America needs to take. However, he added, 'The steps that America needs to take are not new. They are all already mentioned in the Memorandum of Understanding.' He further clarified, 'If the American side is serious about reaching an agreement and opening the Strait of Hormuz, then everything is ready now.' A US official said that America 'is in a very strong position, including control over the Strait of Hormuz, so they are not in a hurry.' The Memorandum of Understanding signed between America and Iran on June 18 was prepared to bring about a ceasefire and to open the Strait of Hormuz, at least partially. The 14-point agreement stated that Iran would never possess nuclear weapons. It also included the cessation of military actions by America, Iran, and their allies 'on all fronts.' This also included provisions for the end of the US naval blockade and the easing of sanctions. The agreement also mentioned that Iran would 'make every effort to ensure the safe passage of commercial ships' through the waterway and would negotiate with Oman regarding future transit arrangements. However, this agreement was broken shortly after both sides resumed attacks. Iran has attacked various ships for attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz without permission. America has also attacked Iranian bases in the waterway area as well as Iranian tankers located a short distance off the Iranian coast. This has also maintained the blockade on Iranian ports, which has greatly affected Iran's economy. Since then, Trump has claimed that America has succeeded in extracting oil from the Strait of Hormuz. According to Kepler, a company that analyzes goods and data cited by Reuters, transit data shows an average of about 18 ships passing daily in the last 10 days. On some days, this number dropped to as low as 9. However, the Houthi group in Yemen, considered an ally of Iran, has recently intensified attacks with the aim of disrupting oil exports from Saudi Arabia through the Red Sea on the other side of the Arabian Peninsula. This group has intensified attacks this month and captured a strategically important area on the Red Sea coast. This includes the port of Mocha, which overlooks the Bab al-Mandab Strait, another major global transit route. The Houthi attack on Saudi oil facilities has further worsened the situation. American media have reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has sought military assistance from Trump. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly this week, Trump expressed confidence that the agreement with Iran, which has not yet materialized, would happen soon after the November elections. He said, 'Will there be an agreement with Iran that will allow them to rebuild and help make them a better country than before?' 'Or should I quickly annihilate the Islamic Republic, never giving them a chance to kill and destroy people and countries again? Should I send them to hell?' On Friday, Araghchi clarified that Iran would not accept 'pressure, threats, or intimidation,' making it clear that 'peace cannot be established through threats of destruction.' BBC