Iran Receives US Response on Ceasefire Plan as American Troops Exit Iraq

Iran's government said Wednesday it has received a response from the United States regarding its latest proposal to de-escalate the ongoing conflict, a key diplomatic development that coincides with the complete withdrawal of American forces from neighboring Iraq.

An Iranian government spokesperson confirmed in a post on X that Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi had conveyed the U.S. response, which was reportedly relayed by Qatari mediators, according to an official briefed on the talks who spoke to Reuters anonymously.

Diplomatic Maneuvering

The development follows a proposal from Tehran last week aimed at reviving a collapsed interim agreement. Under the plan, the U.S. would lift its blockade of Iranian ports, and in return, Iran would reopen the disrupted Strait of Hormuz within seven days. While President Donald Trump stated on Sunday he had rejected the proposal, Tehran maintained it had not received a formal rejection until now.

According to the official briefed on the talks, the primary point of contention is not the necessary steps but the order in which they are taken. Qatari mediators have been shuttling between the two sides, holding proximity talks on the sidelines of a United Nations meeting in New York.

US Completes Iraq Withdrawal

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The diplomatic activity comes as U.S. and Iraqi officials announced the withdrawal of the last American troops from bases in Iraq on Wednesday. The pullout fulfills a plan agreed to in 2024 and is seen by Tehran and its regional allies as a significant strategic victory.

An umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions in Iraq hailed the withdrawal as an "historic victory" and a "crushing defeat for the American project." However, analysts have raised concerns that the move could empower these same groups. Baghdad-based political analyst Ahmed Younis noted it raises "the possibility that Iran’s proxies will feel increasingly empowered in the absence of a Western military presence."

Market and Geopolitical Context

The eight-month conflict has severely disrupted global energy markets, particularly flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for about a fifth of global oil supplies before the war. Shipping through the strait has increased but remains risky, with Britain’s UKMTO maritime security body reporting two ships were hit by projectiles on Tuesday.

The disruption has contributed to a surge in fuel prices, creating political pressure in the U.S. ahead of legislative elections. The conflict has also intensified Iran's economic crisis, though the country has retained its capacity to menace regional shipping and strike at its neighbors.