Iran offers US deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz in seven days; US official calls talks "constructive"

Iran has recently proposed a seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane. The offer, presented by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a private gathering on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, stipulated that the United States would need to lift its naval blockade on Iranian ports, waive sanctions on Iranian oil exports, and observe a ceasefire, including in Lebanon. Under this accelerated timetable, initial measures would take four to five days, with the Strait reopening on the sixth day, followed by renewed talks on Iran's nuclear program on the seventh day.

However, reports quickly emerged that U.S. President Donald Trump rejected the proposal within hours of its announcement. The President expressed skepticism that Iran would meet his demands and reportedly anticipates a resumption of bombing campaigns after the upcoming November midterm elections. The Strait of Hormuz has been largely blocked to commercial shipping since February 28, 2026, following the onset of a conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran, leading to significant disruptions in global oil and gas markets. As of September 25, 2026, the Strait remains effectively closed to most commercial traffic due to war-risk insurance costs, with only a minimal number of transits recorded compared to pre-crisis levels.