Iran Tells US: Strait of Hormuz Could Open in 7 Days If Condition

Is the Strait of Hormuz—the world’s most critical oil-transit waterway—set to reopen? Iran asserts that the route remains open, provided the United States agrees to the terms and conditions it has proposed.

On Sunday (October 18), while attending a conference of a religious organization in Baghdad, Iraq, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the proposal previously extended to Washington—to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days—remains on the table.

Iran presented this specific proposal to the United States following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire between the two sides last September. Although the US administration recently provided a response, substantive negotiations have failed to progress. According to Iranian security officials, the talks have stalled because Washington has yet to meet the core conditions set forth by Tehran.

Speaking to journalists in Iraq, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that Iran’s position is straightforward and clear: if the United States demonstrates even a modicum of sincerity, the path to reopening the Strait of Hormuz becomes entirely viable. He noted that Washington has offered feedback on the seven-day proposal, which Tehran is currently reviewing.

Key demands made by Iran for the reopening of this waterway include the lifting of US sanctions on Iranian ports, the removal of restrictions on the country’s oil exports, and an end to all forms of military conflict across the Middle East. Araghchi stated that if Washington agrees to these terms, the waterway could be made operational within just six days, with a bilateral meeting potentially taking place the following day.

However, the primary point of contention between the two powers remains the nuclear issue. From the outset, the United States has insisted that any negotiations must first address the reduction of Iran’s nuclear program. US Vice President-elect JD Vance has made it clear that for the ongoing eight-month-long conflict to cease, Iran must significantly curtail its capacity to enrich uranium.

Tehran, conversely, maintains a diametrically opposed position. Their position is straightforward: the Strait of Hormuz must first be reopened to restore maritime security and normal passage; other issues can be discussed later. It is worth noting that before the onset of this conflict, approximately one-fifth of the world’s total supply of crude oil and natural gas was transported through this strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Source: Reuters