Iran pitches seven-day roadmap to end conflict with US

Tehran seeks rapid implementation collapsed ceasefire deal, offering to open Hormuz if regional conflicts halted.Iran has proposed a seven-day roadmap aimed at ending the war with the United States.Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi outlined the plan to reporters in New York on Thursday, according to US media. The proposal seeks to implement the conditions in the Memorandum of Understanding agreed by Washington and Tehran in June, including a halt to hostilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Rubio warns of Iraq ‘Balkanisation’: Is that a real threat?list 2 of 4Saudi-led coalition says shot down 6 ballistic missiles launched by Houthislist 3 of 4Iranian-American group sues Trump over warlist 4 of 4Benjamin Netanyahu attacks Israel’s enemies and allies in UN speechend of listReportedly passed to Washington via mediators earlier this week, Iran’s proposal asks the US to meet specific conditions within seven days to restart ceasefire talks and end the blockade choking the strategically important strait.The restrictions on maritime traffic in Hormuz have become a key issue in the conflict due to the impact on oil and gas exports and the global economy.The proposal, which was presented to reporters on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, comes as the war, started by US and Israeli strikes, is almost into its seventh month.The US-Iran MoU deal expired in August as each side accused the other of violations, and there has been little sign since that they could return to the agreement, although Tehran has suggested it could happen.Under Iran’s proposal, hostilities would end on all fronts, including Gaza and Lebanon, within seven days, The New York Times reported.Washington would also release Iran’s frozen assets, estimated at no less than $12bn, waive sanctions on Iranian oil and lift its naval blockade.The Strait of Hormuz would reopen on the final day of the period. Talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, ostensibly the root cause of the conflict according to President Donald Trump, would start immediately.The proposal closely resembles the MoU, but sets out a hugely ambitious timetable. The Pakistani and Qatari-brokered deal signed on June 17 set a 60-day window for negotiations, but still unravelled within weeks.