Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if Washington eases military pressure and lifts its port blockade.
New York
Iran can reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the United States eases military pressure and lifts its blockade on Iranian ports, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday.
The proposal comes amid renewed tensions between Tehran and Washington and warnings from Iran’s military that any new U.S. military operations could trigger retaliation. On Sunday, Iran’s military central command said it had been informed that the United States was preparing to restart operations with support from regional countries. Tehran warned that any such action would lead to retaliation without limitations or considerations.
The senior Iranian official said Washington first needs to formally declare that it wants to resolve the dispute through diplomacy and agree on a timeline for moving the process forward.
Iranian representatives attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York have been given authority to revive diplomatic contacts with the United States, the official said. Tehran’s proposal for ending hostilities was delivered to Washington through mediators on September 16.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New York on Tuesday but will not meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the UN headquarters, according to the official. Discussions on a possible agreement can instead take place through mediators, the official said.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy route. Before the current conflict, it carried about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. News of Iran’s offer contributed to a decline in oil prices on Tuesday, with Brent falling below $100 a barrel.
Iran said the UN General Assembly provides an opportunity to resume diplomacy if Washington takes tangible steps.