Iran has put forward a proposal to the United States that could see the Strait of Hormuz reopened within seven days if Washington agrees to a set of conditions aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi disclosed the proposal on Thursday in New York, where he is attending the United Nations General Assembly.
“If certain conditions are met, the strait will be open within seven days, and talks will start,” Araghchi told journalists, according to reports from international media outlets.
The proposal comes amid continuing diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Washington over the conflict and the strategic waterway, which is a major route for global oil shipments.
Iran outlines conditions for reopening Hormuz
According to Araghchi, the latest proposal calls for a seven-day cessation of hostilities across the Middle East, including Lebanon.
Iran is also seeking the release of frozen Iranian assets estimated at more than $12 billion, the lifting of sanctions affecting its oil sector and an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
If the conditions are met, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz on the seventh day of the proposed truce.
Araghchi said he was awaiting a response from the United States and added that China supports the proposal.
Iran had previously outlined seven conditions for reopening the waterway and returning to negotiations with Washington. Recent reports have also indicated that Tehran is seeking reciprocal steps from the US to reduce military and economic pressure on Iran.
Proposal follows US-Iran talks
Araghchi has also held discussions with US envoy Steve Witkoff on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly as both countries explore possible diplomatic options.
The two sides had previously reached a memorandum of understanding in June aimed at ending the conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restarting discussions over Iran’s nuclear programme.
However, the arrangement later broke down amid disagreements over navigation through the waterway and military actions.
Iran requires ships passing through the strait to obtain authorisation, citing security and sovereignty concerns. The strategic route has remained a major point of tension between Tehran and Washington.
A senior Iranian official had earlier told Reuters that Iran was prepared to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a week if the United States eased military pressure and lifted its blockade on Iranian ports.
The latest proposal now puts the reopening of the waterway within a seven-day timeframe, provided Iran’s conditions are met.
Source: AFP
