Iran Offers Ceasefire to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

Iran contacted the White House over the weekend with an offer of a permanent ceasefire to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if formal negotiations over its nuclear program are postponed for at least 10 years, U.S. officials and diplomatic sources reported. The proposal would lift a maritime blockade that has trapped tankers and crews while deferring discussion of uranium enrichment and stockpiles.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented the plan during weekend talks in Islamabad and Muscat with mediators from Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey and Qatar. Diplomats noted Tehran’s leadership has not reached agreement on how far it can go on U.S. nuclear demands and that Iran prefers to reopen shipping lanes before addressing the nuclear file.

The United States imposed a maritime blockade on April 13, restricting vessels entering and leaving Iranian ports. U.S. officials say the blockade aims to curb Tehran’s oil revenue and increase pressure on nuclear concessions. President Donald Trump warned Sunday that he wants the blockade to continue, saying the pressure could produce results within weeks and that shutting oil flows would cause severe disruption. He added, “When you have vast amounts of oil pouring through your system … they say they only have about three days before that happens.”

Diplomacy has continued without a breakthrough. After talks in Pakistan yielded no progress, Araghchi traveled to Muscat for discussions with Omani officials, returned to Islamabad and was expected to travel to Moscow to meet President Vladimir Putin. A planned meeting between Araghchi and U.S. envoys did not occur and a scheduled U.S. trip was canceled, officials reported.

The blockade has affected commercial shipping and crews. Intertanko, the tanker trade group, reported about 2,400 seafarers are stranded on more than 105 tankers waiting off Iran’s coast. Tim Wilkins, Intertanko’s managing director, said crews have been rationing food and water, managing waste and facing “a huge amount of anxiety, stress and fatigue on board.” He added many workers have no certainty about when they will be able to return home.

Security incidents in and around the strait have continued. Iranian authorities reported seizing two cargo ships last week for inspection and other vessels have reported attacks while transiting the area. U.S. officials say they have intercepted several ships while enforcing the blockade.

U.S. national security and foreign policy advisers met to review the stalled diplomacy and consider options, officials reported. Iran’s proposal to separate the maritime crisis from the nuclear dispute highlights disagreement inside Tehran and between the negotiating parties over sequencing and enforcement of any agreement.