Iran has said it is prepared to reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the United States reduces military pressure and lifts its blockade on Iranian ports, according to a senior Iranian official who spoke to Reuters on Tuesday.
The Iranian official said Washington would first need to formally signal that it wants to pursue a diplomatic solution and agree on a timeline for moving the process forward. Iran’s delegation attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York has been given authority to resume diplomatic discussions with the United States, the official said.
The offer comes amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington. Iran’s military central command said on Sunday that it had received information indicating that the United States was preparing to resume military operations with support from countries in the region. Iranian authorities warned that any such action would result in a response from Tehran without restrictions.
According to the Iranian official, the proposal has already been conveyed to Washington through intermediaries. The initiative is aimed at creating conditions for renewed negotiations and potentially reaching an agreement to end the hostilities.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major international energy route, and disruptions there have affected global oil markets. Reuters reported that oil prices fell on Tuesday following news of Iran’s offer, while shipping traffic through the waterway remained sharply below normal levels.
The latest development comes as world leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, with US-Iran relations among the issues drawing international attention. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is open to discussions with Iranian representatives at the UN, although no meeting has been scheduled.
