Iran is continuing discussions with mediating countries regarding a "seven-day trust-building plan" for reopening the Hormuz Strait. However, negotiations are expected to face challenges as Iran has expressed a negative stance toward a new peace proposal put forth by Qatar.
On October 28, Abbas Araqchi, Iran's Foreign Minister, stated on X (formerly Twitter), "We are in close and continuous contact with the mediating countries" and noted that they are considering options to implement the seven-day plan in a shorter timeframe.
Last month, Iran proposed a seven-day trust-building plan to the United States, which included lifting maritime blockades on Iranian ports, returning frozen funds, and exempting Iranian oil exports from sanctions in exchange for allowing normal navigation through the Strait.
Iran maintains that its original proposal remains valid. Although President Donald Trump previously rejected the proposal, mediation efforts through Qatar and others are ongoing.
Meanwhile, Qatar has introduced a new compromise plan. According to Reuters, a Qatari mediation team visited Tehran on October 25 to present a draft peace proposal aimed at ending the conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
This new peace proposal from Qatar also sets a seven-day timeframe, requiring both countries to implement trust-building measures gradually each day. It includes provisions for multiple countries to guarantee compliance, and if an agreement is reached, procedures could begin as early as next week.
Reports indicate that Qatar is also working to persuade the U.S. to ease some sanctions in exchange for Iran allowing UN inspectors access to its nuclear facilities. Unlike Iran's proposal, which demands preemptive actions from the U.S., this approach focuses on a gradual exchange of measures while incorporating nuclear inspections into the negotiations.
Iran has reacted negatively to Qatar's new proposal. A senior Iranian official involved in the negotiations stated, "It is merely an unacceptable idea and cannot be considered a proposal," reiterating that there will be no concessions regarding its nuclear program.
The key issue in the negotiations is the sequence of actions required by both countries. The U.S. has maintained that discussions about Iran's nuclear program must occur from the outset. In contrast, Iran insists that the U.S. must first lift the maritime blockade on its ports and remove oil export sanctions.
Reuters reports that Iran is expected to clarify its final position on Qatar's new peace proposal by the end of this weekend.
Additionally, Qatar, along with Pakistan, has been leading mediation efforts in the ongoing conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran for the past eight months.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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