Kathmandu. Diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing war between the US and Iran have resumed. US Vice President JD Vance has sent a letter to Iran’s top security official. According to Iranian media, Iran has received the letter but has not responded yet. Tasnim news agency, citing a source, confirmed that Iran had received the letter.
To whom and why did Vance send the letter?
According to “The Wall Street Journal”, Vance sent a letter to Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezai, on the instructions of US President Donald Trump. The purpose of the letter is to seek the possibility of resuming dialogue between the two countries and preventing further US military aggression.
In the letter, it is said that in return for the US to give some relief to the sanctions, Iran must start the process of opening the Hormuz waterway within seven days and make a commitment on the nuclear program. However, it is mentioned in the report that both sides are focused on trying to prepare a blueprint for negotiations rather than making a concrete peace agreement immediately.
After the news of sending the letter became public, President Trump explained Vance’s initiative in connection with providing medical supplies to Iran. Iran is said to be reluctant to make irreversible commitments on its nuclear program in return for reversible US steps such as lifting sanctions. In particular, Tehran has been cautious in decisions such as sending highly enriched uranium stocks to third countries.
How did the US-Iran war begin?
The war began after the United States and Israel launched a joint air strike on Iran on February 28. Senior military commanders including the then supreme leader of Iran, Imam Ali Khamenei, were killed in the attack. After that, Iran also retaliated and targeted the American military base in Israel and West Asia.
After Iran imposed a strict ban on the movement of commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, the US blockaded Iranian ports. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s major maritime trade routes. About one fifth of the total oil consumed in the world is transported through this route. Therefore, the ban imposed on this route has also affected the global oil trade.
What are Iran’s conditions for opening Hormuz?
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that proposals to end the war and reopen sea lanes are being discussed with mediators. However, Iran maintains that the United States must accept its seven conditions.
According to Tasnim, Iran’s main demands include a ceasefire in the entire region, the release of Iranian assets frozen abroad, the removal of economic sanctions on the oil industry, and an immediate end to the US naval blockade. Iran has made it clear that it will not accept any offer to weaken its terms. From NI, The Guardian and Reuters.