Iran reiterated on Sunday that a framework it presented to the United States aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days remains available for acceptance, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told Iranian media.
The proposal, which Tehran circulated in mid-September after an interim ceasefire broke down, outlines seven conditions Iran says must be met to allow the waterway to resume normal transit. Araqchi said Iran received a response from Washington, but that his country is still evaluating the comments the U.S. provided.
Speaking in Baghdad where he attended a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Araqchi said the offer continued to stand and reiterated Iran’s view that the path to reopening the strait is clear if the United States acts in good faith. "Our situation is clear and based on the seven-days proposal presented to the US. They shared comments which we are reviewing, but our proposal is still on the table and if there is any honesty on the US part, which there isn’t, the way to reopening the Strait of Hormuz is obvious," he said.
Tehran has said its seven conditions include lifting a U.S. blockade on its ports, removing U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil exports and an end to hostilities on all regional fronts. Araqchi added that, if Washington agreed to those conditions, the strait could be reopened within six days and that talks could resume the following day.
Nevertheless, officials in Tehran report negotiations have stalled. Iran’s security chief has said the pause in talks stems from what Tehran regards as Washington’s failure to address all seven conditions set out for reopening the strait.
A central point of disagreement remains Washington’s insistence that Iran’s nuclear programme be dealt with from the outset of discussions. U.S. Vice President JD Vance said earlier this month that Iran must make a "meaningful" reduction in its uranium enrichment capacity to meet U.S. demands and to bring an end to the eight-month conflict between the two countries.
Iran has emphasised that its immediate priority is reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring security in the waterway. Before the conflict, the strait was responsible for roughly one-fifth of global trade in oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), according to statements from Tehran.
Summary
Tehran says a seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz remains available and is reviewing comments Washington provided. The two sides remain at odds, chiefly over whether negotiations should begin with Iran’s nuclear programme or with measures to reopen the strait and restore security.
Key points
- Iran says its seven-day proposal to the U.S. to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is still on the table and under review.
- Tehran’s conditions include lifting the U.S. blockade on ports, removing oil export sanctions and ending regional hostilities; acceptance could lead to reopening within six days and talks the day after.
- A primary obstacle remains Washington’s insistence on addressing Iran’s nuclear programme from the outset, with the U.S. calling for a "meaningful" reduction in uranium enrichment capacity.
Risks and uncertainties
- Negotiations are stalled because Tehran says the U.S. has not addressed all seven conditions, creating uncertainty over the timeline for reopening the strait - this directly affects oil and LNG shipping routes.
- Washington’s position that Iran’s nuclear programme must be tackled first could prevent talks focused on immediate maritime security, prolonging disruption to energy markets and regional trade.
- The continuation of port blockades and oil export sanctions would sustain pressure on energy export flows until a diplomatic resolution is reached.