And at the end of the seventh day, the strait will open: Iran's 'accelerated peace plan' and Trump's leverage dilemma

Iran is promoting an accelerated deal with the US to open the Strait of Hormuz within a week, in exchange for lifting the blockade, sanctions, and releasing frozen funds. Foreign Minister Araghchi presented a plan for immediate nuclear talks in New York, but Trump is in no hurry to give up the naval blockade. Saudi Arabia is pushing against concessions due to the Houthis, and Tehran warns: 'Our finger is on the trigger.'

Iran is advancing an 'accelerated peace plan' with the US, under which the Strait of Hormuz would open after seven days. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, currently in New York, presented the new proposal in indirect talks with Trump's representatives, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, mediated by Qatar. The proposal is a return to the 'Memorandum of Understanding' from June, but at an accelerated pace: implementation within a week instead of 60 days. Araghchi demanded an end to hostilities in all arenas, including Lebanon, the release of frozen funds, the lifting of the blockade on Iranian ports, and exemption from sanctions on oil sales. In return, 'at the end of the seventh day,' the strait would open. Trump is in no hurry to give up the naval blockade, which has become an effective leverage tool. The White House said the blockade and sanctions give the US a 'strong position.' However, Trump has an incentive to reach a deal before the November midterm elections due to rising fuel prices. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are pressuring the US not to concede to Iran, due to the escalation with the Houthis. A senior Iranian official threatened: 'Our finger is on the trigger, the chances that diplomacy will resolve the crisis are extremely low.'