Tehran Reviews Washington's Comments on the 'Seven-Day Plan'

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Iran announced on Sunday that it is studying the American comments on its recent proposal known as the "Seven-Day Plan," in the latest indication of ongoing indirect communications between Tehran and Washington, despite significant disagreements between the two sides.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharib Abadi stated that the proposal explained by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during his time in New York was sent to the United States through intermediaries, and that the American side provided comments regarding the plan.

He added, according to the Iranian Radio and Television Agency, that the American comments are currently under review through internal channels in Iran, and that Tehran's final position will be announced "through appropriate channels" after the review is completed.

At the same time, Gharib Abadi confirmed that Iran maintains its readiness for "other scenarios," without providing additional details regarding their nature.

Iraqchi had proposed a seven-day roadmap to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and then move on to broader negotiations with Washington, during the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York at the end of September.

According to the proposal, the deadline begins as soon as the United States accepts the plan, with Washington required to implement a series of steps during the first four or five days, before reopening the Strait of Hormuz on the sixth day and starting negotiations on a final agreement on the seventh day.

Iranian demands include lifting the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports, easing sanctions on oil exports, releasing frozen Iranian assets, along with a cessation of hostilities that includes regional theaters. In return, Tehran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and move to broader negotiations addressing, among other issues, its nuclear program.

Communications between the two sides intensified during the United Nations meetings, with Qatar playing a role in conveying messages and proposals. Iraqchi stated at the time that the talks had become more serious, but emphasized that there had been no change in Tehran's conditions for reopening the strait.

In a subsequent development, the Associated Press reported that Tehran received an official U.S. response to its proposal, without disclosing details, while mediators continued to try to narrow the gap between the two sides.

One of the main points of contention revolves around the sequencing of any agreement. While Iran pushes for a gradual implementation that begins with American actions followed by the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz before moving on to broader negotiations, Washington seeks a wider agreement that addresses outstanding issues, foremost among them the Iranian nuclear program.

Tehran's announcement of studying the American observations means that the diplomatic path remains open, without indicating so far that Iran is willing to respond or is close to reaching an agreement, especially with Iranian officials confirming in parallel their continued readiness for other options.