Iran awaits U.S. response on Strait of Hormuz plan amid ongoing Qatari mediation

Tehran says a final agreement to reopen the strategic waterway now hinges on Washington’s response, as the exchange of messages continues in Doha.Iran is continuing consultations with Qatari mediators over a revised two-day plan to partially reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran stating that an agreement now depends on a response from the United States.Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi told Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency (ICANA) on Sunday that a recent Iranian delegation visit to Doha aimed to advance these talks. He added that no definitive result has been reached, as Tehran is still waiting for Washington to address its questions.“Consultations are ongoing, but we have not yet reached a definitive result because this result depends on the answers the opposing side gives to our questions,” Araghchi told ICANA.In a separate interview with Al Jazeera, the foreign minister elaborated on back-channel diplomatic talks, describing recent U.S. outreach as a “positive step.” However, he maintained that Iran currently sees no need for direct contact with Washington.Speaking to Al Jazeera, Araghchi confirmed that Tehran has shortened its initial seven-day roadmap to reopen the strategic waterway down to a two-day timeframe, provided its core conditions are met in practice.Qatar remains actively engaged in mediating between Iran and the U.S., facilitating the exchange of messages in an ongoing effort to resolve differences and establish common ground to prevent a wider regional escalation.The current diplomatic push in Doha is unfolding against a ticking clock, coming just days before a U.S. strike moratorium is scheduled to expire on 3 November.However, U.S. President Donald Trump indicated a lack of urgency regarding the timeline. Speaking to reporters at his Florida residence on Saturday, Trump stated that Washington is “in no hurry” regarding Iran.His remarks came alongside reports that he had recently spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as Washington continues to weigh its military options and potential renewed strikes amid the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza.Despite the mediation efforts, Araghchi warned that Iran is fully prepared for further escalation if negotiations collapse.He stressed that Iran’s armed forces are stronger than before and ready to confront any scenario, citing lessons learned from the two most recent rounds of military confrontation.“The Islamic Republic of Iran remains simultaneously ready for defence and diplomacy,” Araghchi told ICANA. “Which path the Americans choose depends on their rationality.”