Iran has put forward a new diplomatic initiative proposing a seven-day plan to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, end regional hostilities, and resume stalled talks regarding its nuclear program, according to The Guardian. The proposal was raised during the United Nations General Assembly in New York and transmitted to American officials via Qatari mediators, as reported by Yahoo News.
Iran Proposes Seven-Day Plan to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi detailed the terms outside the U.N. Security Council, stating that the seven-day timeline would commence immediately upon U.S. acceptance of the plan. According to NBC News, Araghchi explained that initial required actions by the United States would take four to five days, normal maritime passage through the strait would be restored on the sixth day, and final negotiations on mutually agreed nuclear subjects would begin on the seventh day.
The conditions set by Tehran require the United States to lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waive sanctions on Iranian oil sales, observe a ceasefire that includes Lebanon, and accept a maritime transit route through the strait agreed upon by Iran and Oman, as noted by HuffPost. Araghchi noted that these requirements fall under commitments previously outlined in a June memorandum of understanding that ultimately collapsed when fresh strikes were exchanged.
U.S. Response and Skepticism Over the Timeline
President Donald Trump has reportedly rejected the proposed ceasefire deal, with U.S. officials indicating that the administration expects to resume bombing campaigns against Iran after the November midterm elections, according to The Wall Street Journal. While a U.S. official described indirect discussions through mediators as positive and constructive, administration representatives maintained that the U.S. is in a strong position controlling the waterway and is in no rush to reach an agreement.
President Trump stated during his U.N. General Assembly address that he anticipated Tehran would seek a deal after the election and previously weighed whether to make an agreement or “annihilate” the country. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the diplomatic exchanges as falling short of a breakthrough, while back-channel talks involved U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner interacting with Araghchi through Qatari intermediaries.
Global Economic Impacts and Regional Conflict Context
The nearly seven-month conflict, which began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli attacks, has severely disrupted global energy markets by choking traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial shipping lane through which roughly a fifth of the world’s traded oil and gas previously passed. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi stated that more than 5,000 people have been killed in Iran during the war.
The ongoing maritime disruption has driven up energy costs globally, with the U.S. national average gas price reaching $4.48 a gallon, according to Yahoo News. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated in interviews that Tehran is ready for talks and wishes to secure an agreement before the midterms, though he emphasized that Iran will defend itself against pressure and coercion and does not fully trust Washington in negotiations.