The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States accepts Tehran’s seven-day plan to reopen the vital waterway, Iran’s top negotiator and parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf said on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
Strait of Hormuz Blockade Continues
The Strait of Hormuz has been largely blocked and disrupted for more than seven months, since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026. This disruption has heavily impacted global trade, as about one-fifth of global oil and natural gas is shipped through the waterway during peacetime. Ghalibaf stated that Washington must understand that the era of dictating unilateral demands has ended. According to Reuters, the seven-day reopening plan stems from an interim agreement reached with the US in June.
Iran Examines US Reply Delivered by Qatari Intermediaries
Iranian officials confirmed that the US recently replied to Tehran’s diplomatic proposal through Qatari intermediaries. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told foreign ambassadors and diplomats in Tehran on Sunday that there is no military solution to the conflict. Araghchi emphasized that only negotiations based on justice and fairness could end the war. Meanwhile, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated on Sunday that the US views conveyed through intermediaries are currently being examined through internal channels.
Diverging Focus on Nuclear Talks
Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei clarified that Tehran’s primary objective remains the reopening of the strait and the restoration of regional security. Reuters noted that Baghaei stated American propositions remain focused on the nuclear issue. Dawn reported that Baghaei denied Tehran had offered UN nuclear watchdog inspections in exchange for sanctions relief, asserting that Iran has not entered into nuclear discussions with Washington during this phase.
Tanker Incident in the Gulf
Amid ongoing naval tensions, the British maritime security agency UKMTO reported on Sunday that a tanker in the Hormuz was struck by an unknown projectile, causing damage to the engine room. The crew was reported safe and no environmental impact was recorded. The agency did not specify the date of the incident, the vessel’s origin, or whether it was an oil tanker or LNG carrier. The US has imposed its own counterblockade of Iranian ports, and Iran has struck vessels attempting unauthorized transit.
Questions About the Hormuz Reopening Plan
What are Iran’s conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz?
According to Reuters and Dawn, Iran’s demands are based on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and include a Middle East ceasefire, the unfreezing of Iranian assets, the lifting of oil sector sanctions, and an end to the US naval blockade.
How did the US respond to the seven-day roadmap?
Reuters reported that US President Donald Trump ruled out the Iranian proposal last week, while the US military has maintained a fresh buildup in the region despite strikes having paused since September 1, as noted by Dawn.
What changes occurred within Iran’s leadership during the crisis?
Dawn reported that Iran’s Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad resigned on Sunday, October 4, 2026, and Hamid Bovard, chief executive of the National Iranian Oil Company, was appointed as acting oil minister.
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