Agencies | Tehran:
Iran has received a response from the United States to Tehran’s proposal for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, with the country’s senior leadership reviewing Washington’s counter-proposal amid continuing military tensions across the region.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had earlier presented a seven-day roadmap under which Tehran would reopen the strategic waterway and resume negotiations if Washington agreed to certain conditions. The proposal was conveyed through intermediaries, including Qatar.
Iranian officials are now examining the US response as diplomatic efforts continue to find a way out of the conflict.
The development comes as tensions remain high around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime energy routes. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has said that what it describes as a “military conflict” continues in and around the waterway, while a maritime agency has reported that at least three commercial vessels have been hit by projectiles.
The situation has raised further concerns over the safety of commercial shipping and the wider impact of the conflict on regional trade and energy supplies.
Meanwhile, violence has continued in the Gaza Strip despite a ceasefire that has been in place for nearly a year.
At least seven Palestinians were killed and more than 10 others wounded in Israeli attacks in Gaza, according to reports. Al Jazeera reported that six people were killed in a drone strike targeting a passenger van, while another person was killed in a strike on a residential apartment.
The latest attacks have added to continuing concerns over violations of the ceasefire and the fragile security situation in the Palestinian territory.
In another development, an Israeli army attack targeted a Lebanese army vehicle in southern Lebanon, injuring one Lebanese soldier and three civilians.
The incident comes amid continuing Israeli attacks and tensions in southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire framework. The area has remained a flashpoint, with Israeli military operations continuing amid efforts to maintain the ceasefire.
The latest developments underline the challenges facing diplomatic efforts to reduce hostilities across the region.
Iran’s seven-day proposal had envisaged the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a return to negotiations following agreement on specified conditions. Tehran has previously said it does not trust Washington fully after earlier diplomatic efforts were followed by military action and sanctions.
With Iran now reviewing the US response, attention is focused on whether the two sides can bridge their differences over the proposed roadmap while fighting and maritime tensions continue elsewhere in the region.
