Qatari mediators set for talks with Iran, US on 'seven-day' proposal

Qatari mediators are preparing to hold separate talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York and with the US side, either today, Monday, or tomorrow, Tuesday, to discuss a revised version of a seven-day Iranian proposal. The move aims to end hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Reuters quoted a source familiar with the negotiations, who requested anonymity, as saying the upcoming talks will focus on a modified proposal Iran presented on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Araghchi remains in New York after attending the assembly, but it is still unclear who will represent the US side in talks with the mediators.

Iran's plan calls for an end to all hostilities in Iran and Lebanon, the unfreezing of billions of dollars in Iranian assets, the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil, and the removal of the US blockade on Iranian ports. In return, Tehran would allow the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and both sides would resume discussions on Iran's nuclear program.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he had rejected the Iranian proposal, noting that Tehran is seeking a quick agreement due to severe economic pressure. However, he told Axios on Sunday that he expects US negotiators to hold further talks this week.

For his part, Araghchi said yesterday that "the mediators have not officially conveyed the US rejection of the proposal to Tehran, and Iran is awaiting Washington's final position before deciding on its next steps."

Araghchi added, "Our conditions are clear, and any move to reopen the Strait of Hormuz depends on meeting these conditions," stressing that a negotiated solution is the only way out of the current impasse.

While estimates cited by the source familiar with the negotiations spoke of separate Qatari talks with both sides, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported earlier on Monday that no new talks are scheduled between Iran and the United States.