U.S. presents 15 demands to Iran, offers "one-month ceasefire" [U.S.–Iran War]

The Financial News, New York City/Seoul — The United States of America (U.S.) has reportedly delivered 15 conditions to Iran for ending the war and indicated it is willing to maintain a "one-month ceasefire" to discuss them. Iran, however, has declared that it wants "a complete ceasefire, not a brief pause in fighting," while signaling it is prepared to allow "selective passage" through the Strait of Hormuz. Using the Strait of Hormuz as diplomatic leverage and waging a battle for international public opinion, the two countries have yet to find common ground for compromise.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) daily Financial Times (FT) reported on the 24th (local time) that Iran, in a letter to member states of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), stated it would allow passage through the Strait of Hormuz only for "non-hostile vessels." In the letter, Iran stressed that "ships linked to the U.S. and Israel, as well as vessels from other countries participating in the aggression, do not qualify for non-hostile passage." By making clear it has no intention of relinquishing control over the Strait of Hormuz and brandishing the card of selective passage, Tehran sought to increase pressure on the U.S.
Since the outbreak of war on the 28th of last month, the Strait of Hormuz has been under blockade by Iran. As a result, at least 22 vessels have come under Iranian attack, and about 3,200 ships are currently stranded in the Gulf region. Roughly 20% of the world’s crude oil shipments and most key cargo from Gulf states pass through this area. By closing the strait, Iran is trying to trigger a global energy crisis, inflict damage on the U.S. and Israel, and sap their will to continue the war. In fact, on this day Dubai crude oil from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) traded at 160 dollars per barrel, pushing the global oil market to the brink. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the price of Dubai crude oil has surged more than 150% so far this year.
Despite these circumstances, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on the 24th in a phone call with Wang Yi, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China, that "Iran is working toward a comprehensive ceasefire."
The U.S., for its part, has included guarantees of free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz among the key conditions it presented to Iran. According to Israel’s Keshet 12, if Iran accepts these terms, the U.S. has pledged to fully lift the sanctions imposed by the international community and to support civilian nuclear programs, including power generation at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. Washington has also reportedly promised to scrap the "snapback" clause that would automatically restore sanctions if Iran violates the agreement.
Iran, however, has put Washington in a difficult position by demanding the closure of all U.S. military bases in the Gulf region, compensation for past military strikes, and the right to levy transit fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. In particular, by insisting on guarantees to maintain its missile program and calling for an end to Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah, Tehran has made clear it has no intention of relinquishing its regional influence.
Some foreign media have also reported that "within Iran, there are views that the U.S. ceasefire proposal is a ploy aimed at operations such as assassinating the leadership."
Even as expectations for peace talks grow, Israel and Iran continued fierce exchanges of fire. According to The Associated Press (AP) and others, Iran launched missile attacks from late the previous night into the early hours of the day, targeting major Israeli cities including Jerusalem. Jerusalem, Jericho in the West Bank, the southernmost city of Eilat, and satellite reception facilities were also reported to have been hit.

pride@fnnews.com Lee Byung-chul Reporter