Iran has renewed its call for Washington to accept a proposal aimed at reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, insisting that the waterway could be restored to normal operations
within six days if the United States agrees to Tehran’s conditions.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday that Iran’s seven-day framework remained available for consideration, despite mounting disagreements between the two countries over the terms of a possible settlement. Araqchi made the remarks while visiting Baghdad for a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Tehran submitted its proposal in mid-September following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire. Although Iran subsequently confirmed that it had received a response from Washington, negotiations have made little progress.
Iranian officials say the American response failed to address all seven conditions set out by Tehran for reopening the maritime corridor. The dispute has left diplomatic efforts stalled as both sides continue to disagree over the sequence and scope of negotiations.
“Our position is clear and based on the seven-day proposal presented to the United States,” Araqchi said in comments reported by Iranian media. He added that Tehran was examining Washington’s observations but maintained that the offer remained on the table.
The foreign minister argued that a genuine commitment from the United States would make reopening the strait achievable, accusing Washington of lacking the necessary willingness to reach an agreement.
Sanctions and military operations at the centre of dispute
Iran’s conditions extend beyond the immediate reopening of the waterway. Tehran is demanding that the United States lift its blockade on Iranian ports, ease sanctions restricting the country’s oil exports and bring hostilities to an end across all regional fronts.
According to Araqchi, acceptance of the Iranian terms could allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen within six days, with negotiations between the two countries resuming on the seventh day.
However, Washington and Tehran remain divided over the priorities of any potential agreement. The United States has insisted that Iran’s nuclear programme must be addressed as part of efforts to end the conflict, while Iranian officials want maritime security and the restoration of shipping to be dealt with first.
US Vice President JD Vance said earlier in October that Tehran would need to make a “meaningful” reduction in its uranium enrichment capacity to meet American demands. Washington has linked progress on the nuclear issue to its broader efforts to bring the eight-month war to an end.
Iran, by contrast, argues that negotiations should initially concentrate on reopening the strait and establishing security arrangements for vessels passing through the waterway. The two governments have yet to agree on whether the nuclear issue should be negotiated alongside maritime arrangements or addressed at a later stage.
Global energy markets remain exposed
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important maritime energy routes. Before the war, approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade passed through the narrow waterway, making its continued disruption a major concern for energy-importing countries and international shipping operators.
Any prolonged restriction on traffic through the strait threatens to disrupt oil and gas supplies, increase transportation costs and intensify volatility in global energy markets. The consequences can extend well beyond the Middle East, affecting fuel prices, inflation and economic growth in countries dependent on imported energy.
The dispute also reflects wider regional security concerns, as Iran’s demand to end hostilities across multiple fronts goes beyond the immediate question of commercial navigation.
For now, Tehran’s proposal offers a potential framework for renewed diplomacy, but its implementation depends on whether Washington is prepared to accept Iran’s conditions and how both sides intend to resolve their fundamental differences over the nuclear programme.
With negotiations stalled and the two governments maintaining competing priorities, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains closely tied to the broader struggle to reach a political settlement to the conflict.
