US and Iran Renew Rhetoric as Talks on Strait of Hormuz Continue
WASHINGTON/TEHRAN: The United States and Iran have intensified their public statements as diplomatic efforts continue to reach an understanding over the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.
US President Donald Trump again said he expected the conflict in the Middle East to end soon, while Iranian officials said Tehran was waiting for Washington’s formal response to a proposal concerning the reopening of the strait.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Qatari mediators had discussed several proposals with Tehran and would take the matter back to the US side before conveying Washington’s final response.
Araghchi, speaking in New York during the UN General Assembly, said negotiations were currently focused on the Strait of Hormuz. He added that reopening the waterway would depend on conditions communicated to the other side.
Qatar has been involved in efforts to bring the two sides closer. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said several meetings had taken place and messages had been exchanged, with current efforts aimed at finding common ground.
Iran Sets Conditions for Reopening Strait
Iran has reportedly linked the end of its blockade to several demands, including a seven-day ceasefire across the Middle East, including Lebanon.
Tehran is also seeking the release of frozen Iranian assets, an easing of sanctions on its oil sector and an end to the US naval blockade affecting Iranian ports.
Trump, however, rejected reports that Washington had offered concessions to Iran as part of a potential agreement.
Reports by Axios and CNN, citing unnamed US officials, said Trump was prepared to consider sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian funds in exchange for concrete progress on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Trump rejected those reports, saying on Truth Social that he had offered Iran nothing.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also disputed US statements that Washington remained open to an agreement. IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebi said limited oil shipments through the waterway should not be considered a full reopening.
Iranian Official Issues Warning
Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf also issued a warning, saying regional infrastructure could face attacks if Iran’s security was not guaranteed.
He said Iran would not accept a situation in which it was unable to sell its oil while other countries continued their exports.
Separately, the IRGC issued a 25-page letter addressed to the American public, urging US voters to oppose policies supporting foreign wars and calling for peaceful coexistence between Iran and the United States.
The IRGC also criticised US support for Israel and defended Tehran’s position on its nuclear programme.
Oil Prices Decline
Global oil prices fell on Tuesday after Saudi Arabia resumed tanker loading operations at its Red Sea port of Yanbu following the restart of the East-West Pipeline.
Brent crude futures declined $1.38, or 1.3%, to $103.88 per barrel by 1703 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude fell $2.04, or 2.16%, to $90.58 per barrel.
Despite Tuesday’s decline, Brent was heading towards a monthly gain of about 15%, while WTI was on course for an increase of roughly 5.7%.
Saudi oil giant Aramco notified customers about the resumption of Yanbu loading operations in its October schedule. The activity had been halted earlier in September following a drone attack on the pipeline.
