Iran has put forward a seven-day proposal to the United States that could reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and restart negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The proposal was presented through mediators during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as the conflict between Iran and the United States continued to put pressure on regional security and global energy markets. Araghchi said Iran would be prepared to restore normal maritime passage within seven days if Washington accepts the conditions outlined by Tehran.
The initiative does not represent an agreement between the two governments. Washington had not publicly accepted the proposal as of the latest reports, while U.S. officials described indirect discussions through mediators as positive and constructive.
What Iran Is Offering
Araghchi described the proposal as a concrete roadmap rather than simply an expression of willingness to negotiate.
Under the reported framework, Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume talks concerning its nuclear program if the United States takes several steps. Those conditions include lifting the naval blockade of Iranian ports, easing or waiving sanctions affecting Iranian oil sales, and observing a ceasefire covering the wider region, including Lebanon.
The seven-day timetable would begin once Washington accepted the plan, Araghchi said.
“The choice now rests with the United States.”
The proposal also builds on commitments contained in a memorandum of understanding reached between Washington and Tehran in June, according to Araghchi.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime energy corridors. Disruption there can affect shipping, oil markets and the broader global economy.
That makes reopening the waterway significant well beyond the immediate U.S.-Iran dispute.
For countries dependent on energy imports, a prolonged interruption can increase uncertainty for businesses and households. Higher transportation and energy costs can also feed into inflation.
The prospect of a reopening has therefore attracted close attention from financial markets and governments around the world.
The proposal comes as Gulf countries are also exploring alternative routes for moving energy exports that could reduce their dependence on the strait. The United States has separately been discussing a major investment initiative with Arab allies aimed at strengthening energy infrastructure and creating routes that bypass Hormuz.
Diplomacy Returns to the UN Stage
The United Nations General Assembly has provided an important setting for the latest diplomatic contacts.
Iranian officials arrived in New York with authority to pursue negotiations, while Qatar has played a role in passing messages between Tehran and Washington. Araghchi also met with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff earlier in the week.
The contacts do not mean that a broader peace agreement is close.
Major disagreements remain over Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions, military activity and the conditions under which hostilities would end.
Still, the diplomatic exchanges represent a channel through which the two sides can communicate despite the absence of direct formal negotiations.
Washington Faces a Conditional Offer
For the Trump administration, the proposal presents a complicated diplomatic choice.
Iran is offering a defined timetable for reopening the strait, but the offer is tied to concessions from Washington. U.S. officials have maintained that the United States has substantial leverage over the situation and has indicated that it is not under immediate pressure to accept an agreement.
President Donald Trump has also said that he believes a deal with Iran could eventually be reached, while continuing to emphasize U.S. military and economic pressure.
That leaves the central question unresolved: whether the two governments can turn indirect contacts into a workable agreement.
What Happens Next
Iran says the seven-day clock is ready to begin if Washington accepts the proposal.
But several hurdles remain.
The two sides would need to agree on the precise meaning of a ceasefire, determine how sanctions and the naval blockade would be addressed, and establish arrangements for restoring commercial shipping through Hormuz.
They would also need to reopen negotiations over Iran’s nuclear activities, an issue that has repeatedly stalled previous diplomatic efforts.
For now, the proposal is best understood as an opening diplomatic initiative rather than a completed peace agreement.
The next move belongs to Washington, while Tehran is signaling that it is prepared to restore maritime traffic if its conditions are met.
With the Strait of Hormuz carrying such importance for regional and global commerce, even a tentative path toward reopening the waterway could have consequences far beyond the negotiating rooms in New York.
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