Iran's Bold Conditions for U.S. Peace Talks: What Does It Mean for the Hormuz Strait?

A hardline Iranian newspaper has outlined the conditions Tehran says it would require to negotiate an end to hostilities with the United States.

On March 29 (local time), Dr. Ebrahim Karhanei, a former member of Iran’s parliament, wrote in the Kayhan daily that any end to the war must be comprehensive and underpinned by credible deterrence.

Karhanei demanded a full withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Middle East and the dismantling of local U.S. bases. He also called for Iran to apply a legal, state-controlled economic regime to vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysts say that proposal could allow Iran to effectively impose a “transit fee” on ships, ostensibly in return for security and related services. Iran’s parliament has reportedly begun discussing legislation along those lines.

He set out additional conditions, including guarantees of nonaggression toward Iran and its allied forces; lifting sanctions and returning frozen assets; formal recognition by the U.S. and Israel of past attacks on Iran and payment of compensation; resolution of sovereignty disputes with the United Arab Emirates; and a commitment to halt hostilities.

Observers view the package as Tehran’s response to a U.S. ceasefire proposal. Israeli media said the terms carried added weight because they were published in a title close to Iran’s leadership. 

Earlier, U.S. officials reportedly offered a ceasefire package that would include dismantling certain nuclear facilities, banning uranium enrichment, ending support for regional proxy forces and guaranteeing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.