Iran Proposes Seven-Day Plan to Reopen Hormuz, Says Nuclear Programme Open to Inspection

Iran has proposed a seven-day plan aimed at ending the West Asia conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restarting negotiations on its nuclear programme, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, according to The New York Times.

The diplomatic overture came as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Fox News that Tehran had no ambition to acquire nuclear weapons and was willing to accept international inspections and dilute its enriched nuclear material.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Araghchi said Iran had conveyed its proposal to Washington through intermediaries. He described it as similar to a memorandum of understanding that he said the two countries had reached in June.

“We have introduced a plan to the United States through the intermediators that if certain conditions are met, the Strait of Hormuz would be open on the end of the seventh day and talks would restart,” Araghchi was quoted as saying by The New York Times.

He added that “it would be better, if a deal was reached before the U.S. midterm elections”. The conditions attached to the seven-day proposal were not detailed in the remarks reported.

What Iran Has Said About Nuclear Inspections

In his Fox News interview, Pezeshkian rejected suggestions that Iran wanted a nuclear bomb, citing a religious prohibition previously articulated by the country’s supreme leader.

“Not at all. Not at all,” he said when asked about such an ambition.

The president also indicated a willingness to lower enrichment levels and allow international verification. “We said we’re willing to dilute them. It’s not a big deal. We are willing to submit ourselves to verification,” he said.

His remarks signalled openness to nuclear monitoring, although the reported interview did not specify the scope of inspections or the enrichment levels Tehran would accept.

Tehran Blames Washington for Breakdown

Both Iranian leaders accused the United States of undermining earlier diplomacy.

Pezeshkian said a framework agreed with US President Donald Trump in June remained a basis on which Tehran was willing to proceed.

“We did reach an agreement with your president, that agreement was signed, and based on that, we are willing and still wish to move forward,” he told Fox News.

He alleged that US attacks had derailed dialogue and blamed Washington for the conflict, describing Iran’s military actions as self-defence. He also accused the United States of killing Iran’s supreme leader, scientists, military commanders and government figures.

In a separate meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Araghchi said Tehran had communicated its conditions for advancing diplomacy to Washington. He argued that restoring regional security required an end to what he described as US intervention and aggression against Iran.

Araghchi also criticised European countries, including Germany, for overlooking alleged US violations of international law while holding Tehran responsible for insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz.

Different Emphasis on US Election Timing

While Araghchi suggested an agreement before the US midterm elections would be preferable, Pezeshkian said the electoral calendar would not determine Iran’s position.

“If the current American government, within international legal frameworks, wishes to reach an agreement, fine. If not, before the elections or after the elections, what difference does it make for us,” he said.

The president maintained that sanctions would not force Iran to submit to foreign pressure, while reiterating its willingness to negotiate. The reported remarks did not include a US response to the seven-day proposal.

With inputs from ANI