Iran says 2-day proposal to US offers roadmap for restoring security in Strait of Hormuz

Iran said Monday that its two-day proposal to the US remains the most practical roadmap for restoring security in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that progress depends on Washington’s political will. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the proposal offers a clear, time-bound framework for resolving tensions in the strategic waterway, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. Speaking at his weekly press conference, Baqaei clarified that Tehran had not submitted any new proposal to Washington, stressing that Iran’s existing two-day plan remained on the table.

He said the proposal demonstrates Iran’s central role in maintaining security in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf. Baqaei argued that restoring security to global energy routes requires Washington to demonstrate genuine political willingness to overcome the current diplomatic deadlock. He said Iran’s demands include lifting the US naval blockade, ending the war, releasing frozen Iranian assets and removing sanctions imposed in recent months.

Baqaei claimed these demands had already been accepted by Washington under the 14-point Islamabad memorandum, but accused the US of subsequently violating its commitments. The spokesman stressed that Tehran would sign and implement only an agreement that fully protects Iran’s national interests and legal rights. He also said Iran maintains regular consultations with mediators Pakistan and Qatar, expressing appreciation for their diplomatic efforts.

On maritime security, Baqaei said all vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz must coordinate with Iranian authorities to ensure safe navigation. He blamed recent insecurity in the waterway on US and Israeli military actions, while insisting that Iranian forces remain prepared to respond to threats. Baqaei warned that vessels using unsafe routes under US pressure or incentives risk accidents, saying security would not return to the strait while Washington continued what he called unlawful interference.

He also urged South Korea to refrain from deploying naval forces to help reopen the strait, warning that such a move would further complicate regional tensions. - NPT member On nuclear cooperation, Baqaei said Iran remains a member of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has not suspended its obligations to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He said US and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities had disrupted normal implementation of safeguards arrangements, making it impossible for Tehran to cooperate with the agency under ordinary conditions.

Baqaei also criticized the IAEA Board of Governors and Director General Rafael Grossi for what he described as their failure to respond appropriately to the attacks. He confirmed that IAEA inspectors had visited Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility several days earlier, adding that Tehran’s diplomatic mission in Vienna maintains regular professional contact with the agency. On China’s diplomatic efforts, Baqaei said Beijing’s special envoy for Middle East affairs visited Tehran on Sunday for consultations on bilateral relations and regional security, with further visits to other regional countries planned.

Regarding Iraq, he said US pressure would not undermine longstanding ties between Tehran and Baghdad, describing the two countries as permanent neighbors. On Armenia, Baqaei said Tehran had conveyed concerns about the US-backed Trump Route project. He said Yerevan had assured Iran that the project would not alter borders or involve the deployment of US troops. He also protested Azerbaijan’s designation of 14 Iranian nationals as persona non grata, saying Tehran had summoned the Azerbaijani ambassador to convey its objections.

Responding to reports of a proposed US task force dubbed “Iron Gate” to restrict sanctioned trade and financial flows through Iran’s land borders and the Caspian Sea, Baqaei dismissed the initiative as another unsuccessful attempt to pressure Tehran. He also criticized a reported $20 million US reward for information about Iran’s nuclear program, calling it evidence of Washington’s confusion over Tehran’s nuclear capabilities. On US domestic politics, Baqaei claimed recent election results reflected public opposition to the war against Iran, while stressing that Tehran would judge any US administration by its actions rather than its political affiliation.

He also rejected Israeli allegations that Iran might use chemical weapons, describing them as baseless. The remarks come amid diplomatic efforts to revive the Iran-US understanding reached through Pakistani mediation following the military conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on Feb. 28. The 14-point Islamabad memorandum, reached in June, provided a framework for de-escalation, including arrangements concerning maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions relief and the cessation of hostilities. ​​​​​​​However, disagreements over implementation and renewed military confrontations have prevented a lasting settlement, leaving shipping through the strategic waterway subject to continuing restrictions.