Iran proposes 60-day ceasefire as Hormuz tensions persist

Diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States continued on Thursday as tensions remained high over the Strait of Hormuz, 208 days after the conflict began.

Tehran has reportedly submitted a proposal for a region-wide ceasefire lasting up to 60 days, the phased reopening of the strategic waterway and a timetable for wider negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, Gulf News reported, citing regional sources familiar with the plan.

The proposal also includes a reported commitment to halt attacks on Arab countries. Iranian officials have previously said the strait could be reopened within seven days if Washington meets Tehran’s demands.

Iranian officials in New York said diplomacy remained possible but insisted that any agreement must address the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iranian ports. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also said Washington remains open to negotiations, while maintaining that military options are available.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Tehran would not return to earlier agreements because its conditions had changed.

“Until our conditions are met, the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened and we will not negotiate,” Rezaei said, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA.

He added that Washington would first have to restore the trust of the Iranian people before Tehran would consider resuming negotiations.

Preliminary data showed that 10 cargo vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, compared with seven a day earlier. However, the figure remained below the 10-day average of around 17 vessels.

The data could be revised as some ships switch off their transponders while sailing.

US Central Command said its forces had redirected 115 commercial vessels as of September 23 while enforcing what it called America’s “steel wall blockade”.