Iran has reportedly offered to cease its control over the Strait of Hormuz if the United States lifts its blockade on the nation. This proposal, which would set aside discussions on Tehran's nuclear program, emerged following the cancellation of potential ceasefire talks between the US and Iran in Pakistan.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that any agreement must definitively prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. The current standoff involves a US blockade implemented in mid-April, aimed at depriving Tehran of oil revenue and potentially forcing production shutdowns due to storage limitations.
This situation has heightened pressure on the US administration, with oil and gasoline prices soaring ahead of critical midterm elections. The international benchmark Brent crude closed above $108 per barrel on Monday, marking a 50% increase since the conflict began.
European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, have voiced frustration. Merz criticized the US entry into the conflict without a clear strategy, while Barrot condemned Iran's closure of the waterway, asserting that such passages are not individually owned.