Gulf states draft deal to reopen Hormuz in four days to stop new US-Iran war

Gulf states have drafted a multipart peace plan that would reopen the strait of Hormuz within four days of sanctions being lifted. The deal also requires the Houthis to withdraw substantial forces inside Yemen. Regional leaders view this framework as a way to prevent a renewed war between the United States and Iran.

The United States is aware of the progress in these talks. Washington is currently holding out for a specific concession. European diplomats believe that concession involves Iran allowing UN weapons inspectors back into the country. They view this return as a minimum requirement for a breakthrough with President Donald Trump.

Iran has refused this request so far. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband in New York. Miliband urged the Iranians to agree to readmit the inspectors. Iran stated it will only hold talks in principle on its nuclear program. The country remains focused on guarantees of sanctions relief in exchange for reopening the strait.

Signs of flexibility appeared in recent diplomatic moves. Dr. Ali Bagheri, deputy secretary of Iran’s national security council, said Iran is willing to reduce its proposal for reopening the strait from seven days to four days after sanctions are lifted. Additionally, Iran is acknowledging its mediating role in the conflict in Yemen. Secretary of the supreme national security council Mohsen Rezaei met the Houthi ambassador to Iran, Ibrahim al-Dulaimi, on Tuesday.

This meeting occurred 24 hours after a high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan traveled to Tehran. They discussed Saudi terms for ending the Yemen conflict and a longer-term security architecture for the region. Iran successfully prevented discussion of its nuclear program during that meeting. Instead, the focus shifted to a broad regional security vision. This vision would include the Gulf states and Iran, with a reduced or ended US presence in the Middle East.

Oman’s foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi, is a key advocate for this inclusive security plan. He said he believes the US administration understands this is the direction the region is heading. Albusaidi noted that if Iran is fully re-engaged with all eight countries at peace, the economic potential for the region and outside partners would be enormous.

Araghchi emphasized the importance of a new postwar security pact at a televised event in Iran this week. He stated that he is already thinking about the postwar period. Araghchi said, “Whether there is war or not, our policies remain the same.”