Iran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the United States agrees to several conditions, including lifting the naval blockade of Iranian ports and easing sanctions on Iranian oil exports. This proposal, conveyed through Qatar, also includes maintaining a ceasefire that encompasses Lebanon, as stated by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The timeline for reopening the strategic waterway, a crucial energy route for global oil and gas markets, would start once Washington accepts the terms. According to Iran’s plan, initial steps would take four to five days, with the Strait of Hormuz reopening on the sixth day, and U.S.-Iran nuclear talks resuming on the seventh.
Iran’s leverage over the Strait of Hormuz has been a significant factor in the ongoing conflict, and its proposal comes amid diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions. Previously, attempts at a lasting agreement have been unsuccessful. Iran has also engaged diplomatically with Gulf countries, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meeting Qatar’s prime minister and Araghchi holding talks with Saudi officials during the U.N. General Assembly.
However, internal disagreements persist within Iran regarding negotiations with the U.S. While some Iranian officials advocate for diplomatic solutions, hard-line figures criticize these efforts and call for continued resistance. The proposal raises additional questions about covering conflicts involving Yemen’s Houthi forces and securing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, another vital shipping route.