Araghchi: Iran will respond to US regarding seven-day plan to end war in coming days

Iran’s Foreign Minister said on Thursday that his country would present its response to U.S. views on the Iranian proposal to end the war in the coming days, according to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.

He added, in remarks made on the sidelines of a mourning ceremony in Tehran, that negotiations are ongoing and that Tehran and Washington are exchanging messages through intermediaries.

Iran conveyed its plan to the United States on September 22 via intermediaries, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York, with the aim of halting hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Under the plan, Tehran proposed ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, provided the United States accepts its conditions. Iranian authorities have repeatedly stated that ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, are the sole focus of the ongoing diplomatic process.

Nevertheless, U.S. Vice President said in an interview with Reuters on Monday that “Iran must make a tangible reduction in its uranium enrichment capabilities to meet U.S. demands and end the war.”

In response, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization head said on Thursday that uranium enrichment is an “integral” part of the nuclear industry, and that Tehran will not back down despite U.S. threats and military operations, according to Tasnim.

He added that Iran’s nuclear program complies with the safeguards agreement concluded with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and is also consistent with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.