Iran pushing accelerated plan for ceasefire talks with US

Iran has said it is trying to accelerate the ceasefire plan it has proposed to the United States, as the region braces for possible renewed fighting in the US-Israel war against the country. Officials in Tehran said on Monday that the seven-step plan they put on the table last month remains the same, but could now be implemented more quickly. The proposal includes a swift reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and return to talks over Iran’s nuclear programme. The statement comes as Iranian officials continue negotiations with Qatari mediators in the latest effort to find a diplomatic path out of the eight-month conflict.