Iran weighs talks with US as Washington reviews Tehran's new proposal

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted on Telegram on Monday that Iran is considering a request by US President Donald Trump for negotiations.

Araghchi said during his visit to Russia earlier on Monday that the US's "destructive habits," especially its insistence on unreasonable demands, frequent shifts in positions, threatening rhetoric, and continuous breach of promises, are factors slowing the diplomatic progress.

Trump and his national security team are assessing an Iranian peace proposal that would halt the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while also postponing discussions on its nuclear program.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday called for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, as oil prices climbed again. 

"Navigational rights and freedoms through the Strait of Hormuz must be respected ... These principles must be upheld in full, and without delay," he said at a Security Council open debate on the safety and protection of waterways in the maritime domain.

"I appeal to the parties: open the strait, let ships pass, no tolls, no discrimination, let trade resume, let the global economy breathe," said Guterres.

(With input from Xinhua)