US Proposes Free Passage Through Strait of Hormuz to Iran for Frozen Funds Release

The United States has formulated a new proposal for Iran, conveyed through Pakistan, offering to allow normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz without transit fees in exchange for the monthly release of frozen Iranian funds and sanctions relief. According to diplomatic sources cited by the Emirati site Aram News, the proposal links the renewal of these arrangements each month to Iran's full commitment to freedom of navigation, without imposing fees or restrictions on vessels passing through the strait.

Simultaneously, Washington would release an agreed portion of the frozen funds on a schedule currently under negotiation. This framework aims to resolve two major points of contention: the US demand to eliminate all Iranian transit fees on ships and Iran's condition that shipping resumes only after the US lifts its blockade on Iranian coasts. Sources emphasized that this proposal is a temporary formula, separate from parallel talks Iran is conducting with the Sultanate of Oman to reach a comprehensive agreement.

Meanwhile, shipping data revealed that the number of vessels observed in the Strait of Hormuz yesterday dropped to its lowest level in a week. Only eight ships were recorded in the strait, compared to an average of about twelve ships per day over the past ten days, marking the lowest daily count since August 5.