Iran offers to reopen Strait of Hormuz within 7 days if US 'eases pressure': Report
Tehran says it is ready to revive diplomacy with Washington, but wants an end to military pressure and the blockade of Iranian ports first
Iran could reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the United States eases military pressure and lifts its blockade of Iranian ports, said a senior Iranian official on Tuesday (September 22).
The official told Reuters that Washington must first make clear that it wants to resolve the confrontation through diplomacy and agree on a timeline for moving the process forward.
The comments came amid heightened tensions after Iran's military central command said on Sunday (September 20) that it had been informed of preparations by the US to restart military operations with support from regional countries. Tehran warned that any fresh escalation would invite retaliation “without limitations and considerations”.
Tehran signals diplomatic opening
The Iranian official said Tehran was nevertheless prepared to revive negotiations with Washington, with Iran's delegation already in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
The delegation, the official said, has full authority to restart diplomatic engagement with the US. Details of a possible agreement to end hostilities could be discussed in New York through mediators.
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According to the official, Iran's proposal for resolving the confrontation was conveyed to the US through mediators on September 16.
The official said “the UN General Assembly is a golden opportunity for the US to return to diplomacy”, adding that Tehran would welcome renewed negotiations if Washington takes tangible steps.
Pezeshkian not meeting Trump
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian left Tehran for New York on Tuesday to attend the UN General Assembly. However, the senior official said Pezeshkian would not meet US President Donald Trump at the UN headquarters.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the standoff because of its importance to global energy shipments. Tehran's offer to reopen the waterway within a week, subject to US actions, therefore ties a major regional security and economic issue directly to the diplomatic process.
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The Iranian position, as outlined by the official, is that de-escalation must begin with visible US measures, after which negotiations on ending hostilities could proceed through mediators in New York.