Pratik Agrawal
Officials from the United States and Iran separately met with mediator nations on Monday to explore ways of ending the ongoing Middle East conflict, Reuters reports, citing representatives from both countries.
Washington Talks Resume Between Rivals
Representatives of the United States and Iran held separate discussions with mediator countries on Monday. The goal was to find a path toward ending the conflict in the Middle East. Reuters reported this, citing officials from both nations.
“Officials from the United States and Iran held separate talks with mediators on Monday as part of renewed efforts to end the seven month war,” the report stated.
Focus Shifts to Iran’s Seven Day Plan
Sources told reporters that upcoming talks will center on revisions to a seven day plan. Iran had presented this plan to the US last week. Details of the discussions were not disclosed. It also remains unclear when the next round of talks will happen, or in what format.
Tehran’s Offer and Trump’s Rejection
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier said Tehran handed Washington a seven day plan. The plan proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz. In exchange, Iran wanted the naval blockade lifted and oil export restrictions removed. US President Donald Trump rejected this proposal.
Despite Trump’s rejection, Iran’s foreign minister said late Saturday night that Tehran is still waiting. He noted Iran expects a final answer from the mediators regardless of Trump’s comments.
A Fragile Truce That Fell Apart
The US and Iran signed a memorandum in mid June. It was meant to kickstart a peace process between the two nations. However, tensions flared again just three weeks later. Washington accused Tehran of attacking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides then resumed exchanging military strikes.
Currently, ships cannot pass freely through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway remains a flashpoint in the broader standoff between the two countries.
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