Iran said Monday that it was prepared to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days if the United States accepted its conditions, shortening an earlier seven-day plan. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the accelerated timetable would demonstrate Tehran’s good faith and allow security in the waterway to be restored rapidly.
Baghaei said messages were still being exchanged through mediators, but that further steps depended on Washington accepting Iran’s demands. Tehran is seeking a ceasefire on all regional fronts, the release of Iranian assets held abroad, the lifting of sanctions on its oil sector and an end to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Iran also wants Washington to recognize a new transit route agreed between Iran and Oman for shipping through the strait. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghtchi additionally called for a reduction in the US military presence recently deployed in the region.
The conditions had already been included in an Iranian-American draft agreement reached in June, after a ceasefire in April ended 40 days of intense bombardment. That fragile understanding collapsed during the summer, and exchanges of fire resumed, with Iran again targeting US allies across the region, from the Gulf to Jordan.
Tehran had presented a seven-day reopening plan through Qatar in September. US President Donald Trump rejected it while leaving open the possibility of continuing indirect negotiations. Since the war began with Israeli-American strikes on Iran on February 28, Tehran has claimed control of the waterway and regularly targeted vessels attempting to cross without its authorization.
The latest proposal comes as military tensions rise again. At a rally in Iowa on Sunday, Trump threatened to give Iran a “big thumping,” saying he had so far refrained from ending the conflict because he wanted to be “nice.” Baghaei responded Monday that any aggression or military attack against Iran would receive a powerful, immediate and comprehensive response.
According to Axios, Trump also discussed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the possibility and timing of intensifying military operations. The report said Trump nevertheless favored allowing negotiations to continue.
The developments pushed oil prices lower on Monday. At around 10:45 a.m., Brent crude for January delivery was down 4.43%, trading at $108.40 a barrel.
Sources: Le Monde International.