Iran pitches seven-day roadmap to end conflict with US

Iran publicly put forward a seven-day plan intended to end the war with the United States, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters in New York. The proposal, reportedly delivered to Washington through mediators earlier in the week, seeks rapid implementation of conditions set out in the June Memorandum of Understanding between Tehran and Washington. Key elements include a cessation of hostilities across all fronts, the release of at least $12 billion in frozen Iranian funds, waivers on oil sanctions, lifting of a US naval blockade, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz on the final day.

The initiative was unveiled on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly as the conflict — which Iran says began after US and Israeli strikes — approaches its seventh month. The June MoU, brokered by Pakistan and Qatar and signed on June 17, had established a 60-day window for negotiations but collapsed within weeks amid disputes over control of shipping through Hormuz and subsequent attacks. Washington and Tehran have since accused each other of violating the deal, and the agreement lapsed in August.

Iran’s timeline also calls for immediate talks on its nuclear programme once the seven-day measures are in place. Tehran argues it would reciprocate swiftly if the US returned to the MoU commitments; Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran would “immediately reciprocate” should Washington resume its obligations. Officials quoted by US media said the White House is engaging with intermediaries, with one unnamed administration official describing discussions as “positive and constructive,” though another said Washington would not move hastily into a new deal.

Analysts and regional mediators offered cautious responses. An Iranian security source told Al Jazeera there might be room for further diplomacy if the US met the proposal’s conditions. Outside observers noted that the roadmap’s ambitious seven-day timetable marks a significant acceleration compared with the earlier 60-day framework and suggested this underlines limited progress in substantive US-Iran negotiations. Qatar’s top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, discussed de-escalation and dialogue conditions with Pezeshkian, underscoring continuing mediator involvement in efforts to reduce regional tensions.