Iran proposes deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz —but at what cost to US?

On Monday, regional officials revealed an Iranian proposal to end the blockade of its restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz without addressing its nuclear program.

This diplomatic overture coincided with the Iranian Foreign Minister’s visit to Russia which he called it as a strategic opportunity to discuss ongoing conflict with Moscow.

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As per sources privy to the matter, if Iran is willing to open the Strait of Hormuz, the country also wants the US to end its blockade of Iranian ports as part of its proposal.

As reported by Axios, Iran sent a proposal to the United States in which Tehran asked for reopening the Strait of Hormuz by sidelining talks on its nuclear program for a later stage.

But, this proposal is likely to be rejected by President Trump who wants to end Iran’s atomic program and suspend uranium enrichment as a part of a deal to end the blockade of Hormuz and make the ceasefire permanent.

"We have all the cards. If they want to talk, they can come to us, or they can call us,” Trump said to Fox News Channel.

On Monday, Trump will hold a Situation Room meeting on Iran with his top national security and foreign policy team, as per US officials. The center of discussion would be the stalemate in the negotiations and next steps.

In an interview with Fox News Trump signalled his intentions to continue the blockade of ports.

"When you have vast amounts of oil pouring through your system ... if for any reason this line is closed because you can't put it into containers or ships ... what happens is that line explodes from within....They say they only have about three days before that happens," Trump said.