PARAMARIBO — US President Donald Trump has rejected a recent proposal from Iran to end the war between the two countries. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Friday during the United Nations (UN) general assembly that Iran has proposed to the United States (US) a deal under which the Strait of Hormuz could reopen within a week and “normal shipping can be restored.” He told reporters that this is possible if “the necessary conditions are met.”
Those conditions come from a previous U.S.-Iran agreement signed in June that extended a ceasefire that was subsequently violated. The draft agreement states that the US and Iran would cease all military operations and that the cessation of military actions also applied to Lebanon where Israel carries out attacks. The US would also lift the maritime blockade and Iran would provide safe passage for commercial ships. In addition, it was agreed that Iran would not develop or acquire nuclear weapons.
“Iran will not accept coercion, threats or intimidation”
Minister Abbas Araghchi
But on Saturday, Trump rejected the proposal. He stated that Iran wanted to make a deal because it is “losing so badly.” “They want to make a deal and that’s fine with me,” Trump told reporters outside the White House before leaving for a college football game. “I would also like to make a deal. But the proposed deal is not acceptable.”
‘Positive conversations’
According to Araghchi, the plan was handed over to the US government via Qatari mediators on the sidelines of the general meeting. Press agency Reuters asked for a response from an American official, who reported that positive conversations are taking place through mediators. The US and Iran are said to be discussing nuclear matters, among other things.
Earlier last week, US President Trump threatened war in his speech at the UN: “Will an agreement be made with Iran that will allow them to recover and build a much bigger country than it ever was before? Or do I destroy the Islamic Republic, and quickly, so that they never have the opportunity to kill and destroy people and countries again? Do I send them to hell?”
Araghchi said in response on Friday that Iran will not accept “coercion, threats or intimidation.” And regarding a reopening of the strait, he said: “The choice now lies with the United States.”
Resume bombardment
The American newspaper The Wall Street Journal reports based on sources that Trump has rejected the Iranian proposal. Trump reportedly told his aides that he expects to resume bombing Iran after the US midterm elections in November.
The US and Israel’s war against Iran began on February 28 with air strikes on Iran. This country responded with drone and missile attacks on Israel, US bases in the region and by blocking the Strait of Hormuz. Since then, hardly any cargo ships carrying oil and gas have passed through the narrow strait.
Before the war, about 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas passed through the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade led to large price increases worldwide. Yesterday the price for Brent – the benchmark for international trade – was at US$104 per barrel.
