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| Commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. Representative image. Photo credit Unsplash. |
Iran has proposed a seven-day plan to reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, with the next move now depending on the United States, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.
According to Araghchi, Iran has conveyed the proposal to Washington through Qatar. He said normal maritime traffic could resume within seven days if the conditions proposed by Tehran are accepted.
What Is Iran Proposing?
Iran's proposal links the reopening of the waterway to a series of steps by Washington.
Reports on the proposal say Tehran wants the United States to lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports, ease or waive sanctions affecting Iranian oil sales, and agree to a halt in hostilities across the region, including Lebanon.
Araghchi said the measures requested by Iran are based on an earlier memorandum of understanding between the two sides.
Strait Could Reopen Within Seven Days
Under the proposed timetable, the process would begin once Washington accepts the plan.
Iran has said the necessary measures could be completed during the first several days, followed by the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a return to normal maritime traffic.
The waterway is a major route for global oil and gas shipments, making any prolonged disruption significant for international energy markets.
Iran Rules Out Nuclear Concessions
At the same time, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran would not offer concessions on its nuclear programme as part of the proposal.
The official said the Strait would remain closed until Iran's conditions were met.
This means that although Iran has proposed restarting negotiations, major differences between Washington and Tehran remain.
US Response Remains Uncertain
As of September 26, Iran was awaiting an official US response to the proposal.
Reuters reported that the Wall Street Journal had said US President Donald Trump rejected the Iranian proposal, but the Reuters report noted that Iran was still waiting for an official US response.
Therefore, the seven-day reopening plan is currently a proposal, not a confirmed agreement.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is one of the world's most important energy-shipping routes.
Any sustained disruption can affect oil supplies, shipping costs and energy prices well beyond the Middle East.
For now, attention is focused on whether Washington accepts Tehran's conditions and whether indirect negotiations can produce an agreement.