World Israel News Staff
Iran is seeking a temporary deal with the United States securing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in order to alleviate worsening shortages in the Islamic Republic, according to an Israel Hayom report.
The United States rejected an Iranian request to begin reopening the Strait of Hormuz to Iranian ships and tankers after Tehran’s response to a proposed ceasefire document left its previous positions largely unchanged.
The Iranian response centered on a roughly one-month ceasefire that would allow negotiations over its nuclear program and other issues while also calling for the gradual reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran demanded that Washington take the first steps toward reopening the strait.
Iranian officials said the move was needed because the country lacks enough storage capacity for crude oil, raising fears that oil could leak from wells and cause major environmental damage. Satellite images reportedly show a large oil slick near Kharg Island.
Tehran also cited worsening shortages of basic goods caused by the blockade on ships entering Iran, as well as a deepening cash shortage that has made it harder to buy wheat, medicine and medical equipment.
In contacts surrounding the official delivery of the document, Iranian officials described a deteriorating domestic situation and warned of a real risk of hunger in parts of the country.
The economic pressure has also hit the labor market. Unemployment in Iran has reportedly climbed above 50%, while many of those still employed are earning very little. The US Treasury Department confirmed reports that civil servants are not receiving salaries.
According to US intelligence, large parts of Iran’s self-employed workforce, particularly workers dependent on the internet and advanced industries, have lost major portions of their income and are effectively unemployed.
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