The key facts

  • Araghchi confirmed that Iran 'continues to give diplomacy a chance' and is discussing with mediators the implementation of the plan in less than a week
  • The plan, conveyed to the US through Qatari mediators in September, envisages the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of negotiations
  • The settlement is based on the Islamabad Memorandum of June 18, concluded with the mediation of Pakistan and Oman

Araghchi's Statement

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that Tehran is in contact with mediators to consider proposals for implementing a seven-day plan with the United States. In a post on the social network X, he wrote that, despite tensions with Washington, Iran continues to give diplomacy a chance: 'While our valiant armed forces remain fully ready to defend the homeland, Iran continues to give diplomacy a chance to succeed. We remain in close and constant contact with the mediators to consider ideas that could ensure the implementation of our seven-day plan in even less than a week.'

Contents of the Plan

The seven-day plan was presented to Washington through Qatari mediators in September. It provides for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of talks with the United States within a week, on the condition that the American side fulfills Tehran's demands. In the first five days, the United States would have to take agreed steps: cease hostilities, lift the naval blockade of Iranian ports, ease restrictions on Iranian oil exports, and unfreeze Iranian assets. On the sixth day, Iran would open the strait to regular commercial shipping, and on the seventh day, talks between Tehran and Washington on a comprehensive agreement would resume. All proposed measures remain subject to negotiation.

Context of the Negotiation Process

As Anadolu notes, on October 8 Araghchi had already reported that Tehran was studying Washington's response to the proposal and that the exchange of messages through mediators was continuing. The latest statements came amid diplomatic efforts to preserve the fragile truce between Iran and the United States after months of military confrontation. The basis of the settlement was the Islamabad Memorandum, signed by the two countries on June 18 following talks mediated by Pakistan and Oman; it addressed, in particular, the security of shipping in the strait, the easing of sanctions, and the lifting of American naval restrictions. Oman, Pakistan, and Qatar continue to maintain diplomatic contacts to resolve differences between Tehran and Washington.