Iran offers Hormuz reopening within 7 days if US steps back

Iran has proposed reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz within seven days, contingent upon the United States easing its military pressure, according to Kyodo News. This offer was relayed to Washington via intermediaries and signals a potential diplomatic pathway as Iranian officials convene in New York for the UN General Assembly. The proposal urges the US to engage in renewed negotiations aimed at achieving a permanent cessation of hostilities, according to a senior Iranian government official cited by Kyodo.

Tehran intends to consult intermediary nations during the UN General Assembly, though the Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and the Supreme National Security Council have not ruled out a meeting between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump. The US has suggested lifting sanctions and canceling economic campaigns in exchange for the reopening of Hormuz, as reported by the official.

The proposal places the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy corridor responsible for transporting one-fifth of the world's hydrocarbons prior to the war, at the forefront of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions. Iran has engaged in hostile acts against commercial vessels, demanding passage approval, while the US maintains a blockade of Iranian ports and has intensified economic pressure on Tehran.

This offer surfaced as senior Iranian officials in New York and Tehran emphasized Iran's commitment to defending its positions while exploring diplomatic avenues.

Pezeshkian, scheduled to speak at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, stated before his departure that Iran would "firmly defend" its positions at international forums, emphasizing the use of this opportunity to convey Iran's plight to the global community. The US has granted UN visits to some members of the Iranian delegation, despite the ongoing war, but has imposed movement restrictions, a move perceived as "hostile" by Iranian presidential spokesman Habibollah Abbassi.

In Tehran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, present in New York for the General Assembly, reiterated Iran's stance that it remains in a "state of war" following the US-Israeli attacks and subsequent developments. Araghchi affirmed that Pezeshkian would address the General Assembly, engage in bilateral meetings, and participate in media interviews during his visit, underscoring the primary objective of using a major international platform to defend the rights, interests, and just cause of the Iranian people.