Tehran awaits US response as Hormuz reopening talks enter key stage

On September 29, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi anticipated a formal response from the United States regarding Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to state media. Qatari intermediaries had deliberated and proposed ideas, with plans to reiterate the matter to the American side, after which the final US response would be relayed back to Iran, Araghchi stated late on Monday.

The senior diplomat, currently in New York for the UN General Assembly, expressed Qatar's optimism that a resolution would be reached "by tomorrow". Araghchi emphasized that the current priority is the Strait of Hormuz and the reopening of the strait hinges on the satisfaction of certain conditions previously communicated to the other party.

The Strait of Hormuz is the focal point of tensions between the United States and Iran, which escalated following US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. This route once facilitated a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas. However, Iran subsequently imposed a blockade on Hormuz, prompting the United States to retaliate with its own blockade on Iranian ports.

Earlier this week, talks took place in New York between Araghchi and US representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Iran is only willing to lift its blockade as a precondition to the cessation of hostilities, the minister stated. This includes a seven-day ceasefire throughout the Middle East, the release of Iranian assets held abroad, the repeal of sanctions on Iran's oil industry, and the dismantling of the US naval blockade.