Gulf Deal Targets Four-Day Hormuz Reopening
Negotiators seek to prevent renewed US-Iran conflict by setting strict deadlines for strait access and Houthi withdrawals.
By Rahul Sato ·
Four days. That is the new timeline Gulf states are drafting for the strait of Hormuz to reopen once economic sanctions are lifted. The proposal marks a reduction from Iran’s earlier demand for a seven-day window. Dr. Ali Bagheri, deputy secretary of Iran’s national security council, confirmed Tehran’s willingness to accept this shorter period.
The multipronged agreement also requires the Houthis to withdraw substantial forces from inside Yemen. Gulf leaders view this move as essential to avert what they describe as a disastrous renewal of war between the United States and Iran. The plan aims to create a stable security architecture that includes all regional powers.
Washington is aware of the talks but remains focused on a specific concession. European diplomats argue that Iran must allow UN weapons inspectors back into the country to visit bombed nuclear sites. Ed Miliband, the British foreign secretary, urged this action when he met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New York. Tehran has so far refused, stating it will only discuss its nuclear program in principle.
In a sign of diplomatic movement, Iran acknowledged its mediating role in the Yemen conflict. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s supreme national security council, met with Houthi ambassador Ibrahim al-Dulaimi in Tehran on Tuesday. This meeting occurred 24 hours after a high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan visited Tehran to discuss Saudi terms for ending the Yemen conflict.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi supported the inclusive security plan. He stated that if Iran is fully re-engaged with eight countries at peace, the economic potential for the region and outside partners would be enormous. He noted that general acceptance exists for this direction of travel once a final deal is reached.
Abbas Araghchi emphasized the importance of a postwar security pact during a televised event in Iran this week. He said, "Recently, there has been talk of a new war but I am already thinking about the postwar period. Whether there is war or not, our policies remain the same."
Source: The Guardian
