Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei stated on Sunday that the United States’ response to Tehran’s seven-point proposal for reopening the Strait of Hormuz was “insufficient.” The proposal, presented during the UN General Assembly, outlined conditions to restore normal maritime passage within seven days, but Iran reports that Washington’s reply, delivered via Qatari intermediaries, left several issues unclear, Reuters reported.
Iran Rejects US Response to Maritime Proposal
Tehran maintains that it is no longer actively responding to the American counter-proposal. According to Rezaei, who serves as the Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, the US accepted some of the seven conditions while failing to address others. Rezaei stated that the strait will remain closed to the US and that no negotiations will take place until all seven conditions are met. Rezaei said Iran is “no longer in the process of responding to the Americans”.
The White House did not provide a comment to Reuters regarding the status of these negotiations. The conflict, which began in late February following US and Israeli attacks on Iran, has disrupted a waterway that previously served as the transit point for one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.
Military Readiness Along the Southern Coast
While diplomatic channels remain stalled, Iranian military officials have signaled continued tactical control over the waterway. Major General Mostafa Izadi stated on Thursday that Iranian armed forces are prepared to defend the Strait of Hormuz. During a visit to personnel stationed on southern islands, Izadi noted that the IRGC Navy, Aerospace Force, and Ground Force are coordinating defensive operations. Izadi made the remarks Thursday evening while visiting IRGC Ground Force personnel on the southern coasts and islands. He stated the strait is under the control of Iranian forces and noted that IRGC personnel, along with the Army, are responsible for its defense. He expressed hope that combat readiness would be strengthened in the Persian Gulf and the strait.
Separately, an adviser to the Revolutionary Guards’ Commander, Mohammadreza Naqdi, told the Fars news agency that Iran plans to close "illegal" routes within the strait. These passages were reportedly created by damaging rocky areas to allow small smuggling boats to bypass standard channels.
Political Constraints on US Military Action
US President Donald Trump stated on October 8 that the United States will not launch attacks on Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, citing "productive discussions" between the two nations. Despite this, Trump emphasized that a blockade of Iran remains in effect and that his administration is not currently prioritizing a formal deal. Trump said on Wednesday that a deal "isn’t really something that I want to do," though he noted that Iran is "willing to offer us anything to stop." He stated his special envoy Steve Witkoff is "doing very well" in negotiations.
Trump also claimed that oil flow through the strait has reached "record numbers," asserting that 22 million barrels passed through the waterway on a recent Wednesday without any originating from or destined for Iran. This assertion stands in contrast to reports of ongoing maritime instability; on Tuesday, India’s foreign ministry reported that 12 crew members were injured when an unknown projectile struck the Panama-flagged oil tanker On Peace while it transited the strait.
Questions About the Strait of Hormuz
What are the seven conditions Iran has set for reopening the waterway?
The specific terms of the seven conditions have not been publicly detailed by Iranian officials. Mohsen Rezaei has stated only that some conditions were accepted by the US in their recent response while others remain unclear.
Who is currently leading the negotiations for the United States?
President Trump identified Steve Witkoff as his special envoy. Vice President JD Vance stated the US has been in talks with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Vance noted that while the US is open to an agreement, it requires concrete nuclear concessions, stating, "We’re not going to trade words for actions."
How is the current conflict affecting oil transit?
Shipping data from mid-September indicated that Gulf oil exports had topped pre-war levels for about half of September. However, logistical constraints and ongoing security incidents, such as the recent strike on the On Peace tanker, continue to impact the stability of the route.
What is the status of the Iranian leadership in these talks?
The US has expressed difficulty in identifying clear decision-makers within the Iranian government following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the start of the war. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has countered that US officials are well aware of their counterparts, attributing the confusion to contradictory messaging from Washington. Meanwhile, Tehran insists its nuclear program is peaceful and that uranium enrichment is a right under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Keep reading