Iran stands firm on Hormuz plan after US rejection

On Sunday, Iran remained resolute in its demands for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, regardless of President Donald Trump's dismissal of the proposal that offered hope for ending the Middle East conflict. The strategic waterway is of paramount importance to global energy supply and has become a focal point of the ongoing discord between Washington and Tehran, which erupted nearly seven months ago following deadly strikes on Iran.

Iran's plan entailed a halt to all hostilities across the Middle East, including in Lebanon, as well as honoring specific conditions from the shattered ceasefire deal. This agreement, which unraveled amid fighting over Hormuz, required the release of frozen Iranian assets, the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil, and the removal of the US naval blockade.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared on Sunday that Iran's conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz remain unchanged, warning that any progress towards reopening the passage would hinge on these conditions' fulfillment. He reiterated Iran's steadfast commitment to its rights, stating, "We will not back down from them." However, Trump had previously dismissed the truce deal, claiming that Iran was attempting to force an immediate opening of the Strait due to their predicament.

Araghchi reported that they have yet to receive any directives from the mediators regarding the US president's reaction, and emphasized the need to await their definitive positions before making a decision.

The breakdown of the Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding (MoU) in June, aimed at ending the war and reopening the strait, came after Iran fired on commercial ships accused of deviating from the approved route through Hormuz, citing security and sovereignty concerns. Iran demanded authorization before passage, targeting ships that refused compliance, while the US retaliated sporadically by bombing Iranian coastal areas.

At the UN, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan, criticized the international community for failing to protect the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab, emphasizing their crucial role in global energy security.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pledged Russia's constructive contribution to stabilizing the strategically vital region, alongside other responsible states. In New York, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, expressing Iran's continued presence at the negotiating table. Araghchi revealed that Iran had conveyed a seven-day plan to the US through Qatar, hoping that meeting the necessary conditions would lead to the reopening of the strait and the restoration of normal maritime passage within a week.

Iran's refusal to accept coercion, threats, or intimidation underscores its unwavering stance, refusing to surrender its sovereign rights under pressure.