The United States and Iran are reportedly exploring a phased path to end their conflict, with Iran proposing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in return for the lifting of the US blockade and other economic measures.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had conveyed a proposal through intermediaries under which the strait would be reopened if its conditions were met. These include an end to hostilities on all fronts within seven days, the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports, the release of frozen Iranian funds and a waiver of oil sanctions.
Speaking to an American News Channel, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also said that they were ready to reach an agreement with US President Donald Trump to end the conflict, and that Iran did not wish to continue fighting. Pezeshkian also sought to distance Iran from Yemen’s Houthis, saying: “The Houthis are responsible for their own actions… We have contacts with them. There is no systematic relationship”
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have agreed to hold an urgent meeting of their chiefs of staff to discuss ways to support Saudi Arabia under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, following Houthi attacks on the kingdom. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said the agreement stipulates that an attack against any one of the parties constitutes an attack against all parties.
The ministers condemned attacks targeting Mecca and other civilian sites and affirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to defend itself. Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence also issued a safety alert for Jazan earlier today, warning of potential danger before announcing a few minutes later that the danger had passed. The Civil Defence had issued a series of brief alerts yesterday, including for Mecca.
The UAE confirmed on Thursday that it was suspending all flights operated by Iranian airlines to and from the country until further notice. The General Civil Aviation Authority said the suspension took effect on September 24. The decision was made in light of the US ban imposed on Iranian airlines from using airports in various countries around the world.
(Manish Shiva is Special Correspondent with Prasar Bharati)
