**Iran Proposes New Deal to the U.S. Ahead of Midterm Elections**
In a significant development in U.S.-Iran relations, Iranian officials have put forth a new proposal aimed at resolving ongoing tensions before the upcoming midterm elections in the United States. This offer directly counters assertions made by President Donald Trump, who suggested that Iran is deliberately postponing negotiations until after the November elections to gauge Republican performance.
During a speech at the United Nations, Trump claimed that Iran was stalling talks and predicted that any agreement would come “right after” the elections. He also issued a stark warning, threatening to “annihilate” Iran if negotiations did not succeed.
In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized Iran's desire to reach an agreement before the elections. Speaking to reporters at the UN General Assembly, he stated, “We don’t want it to get to the midterm elections,” and expressed hope that the U.S. would return to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) established in June.
Pezeshkian criticized the U.S. approach to negotiations, stating, “We did reach an agreement with your president… The problem is that America, instead of conducting dialogue, descended into the arena by bombing us first, by blocking every pathway.” He reiterated Iran's position, asserting that the nation has never sought war and that it is up to the U.S. to decide if it wants to end the conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi elaborated on the proposal, which reportedly includes a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week and to resume discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program. This proposal was communicated to Washington through mediators during discussions in New York.
The plan suggests that Iran would allow navigation through the vital oil shipping route in exchange for the U.S. lifting its economic blockade, easing restrictions on Iranian oil exports, and releasing some frozen Iranian assets. Additionally, Iran is advocating for an end to hostilities on other fronts, including military actions by Israel in Lebanon.
Negotiators from both the U.S. and Iran are exploring a phased arrangement, with initial focus on addressing the blockade and restrictions related to the Strait of Hormuz. Reports indicate that Iranian officials maintain their stance on regulating the waterway, asserting that it should be managed by Iran and Oman, with potential fees for services rendered to vessels passing through.
Araghchi noted that the new proposal aligns closely with the terms of the June MOU and does not introduce new demands. He stated that Iran is currently awaiting a response from Washington.
In addition to these negotiations, Araghchi has engaged in discussions with foreign counterparts, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who emphasized the necessity of a diplomatic resolution to the crisis stemming from what Moscow describes as the “illegal actions” of the U.S. and Israel.
The renewed diplomatic efforts come amid increasing pressure on both the U.S. and Iran. The U.S. blockade has severely limited Iran's oil exports, while Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted a critical global energy corridor, contributing to rising oil prices and historic highs in U.S. diesel prices.
During his address at the UN, Pezeshkian became the first foreign head of state to speak while his country was in conflict with the U.S. He reiterated Tehran's commitment to “dialogue and diplomacy,” but firmly stated that Iran would not negotiate under threats and would “never bow our head or bend at the knee.”
As both nations navigate this complex landscape of diplomacy and conflict, the outcome of these negotiations could have significant implications for regional stability and international energy markets in the coming months.