Iran has urged the United States to accept its proposal to reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, saying the waterway could resume normal operations within days if Washington agrees to Tehran’s conditions.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday, October 18, 2026, that the proposal remained on the table despite stalled negotiations between the two countries.
The initiative, first presented in September following the collapse of an interim ceasefire, offers to reopen the strait within seven days in exchange for a series of US concessions. Araqchi said the waterway could reopen within six days of Washington accepting the conditions, with further negotiations beginning the following day.
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Iran Sets Conditions for Reopening the Waterway
Tehran has outlined seven conditions for moving forward with the proposal. Among its key demands are the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports, the removal of sanctions on Iranian oil exports and an end to hostilities across regional fronts.
Iran has also insisted that negotiations should initially concentrate on restoring maritime security and reopening the Strait of Hormuz rather than making its nuclear programme the starting point for discussions.
Washington, however, has maintained that Iran must make a meaningful reduction in its uranium enrichment capacity as part of any agreement.
The disagreement over the order and scope of negotiations has become a major obstacle to progress. Iran says the US response did not adequately address all seven conditions, leaving the diplomatic process at an impasse.
US and Iran Remain at Odds Over Nuclear Programme
The dispute comes amid a wider conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February 2026 and the subsequent breakdown of a ceasefire arrangement.
Messages have been exchanged through intermediaries, including Qatar, but the two sides have yet to resolve their differences over sanctions, maritime access and Iran’s nuclear activities.
US Vice President JD Vance said earlier this month that Iran would need to make a meaningful reduction in its uranium enrichment capacity to meet Washington’s demands.
Tehran has argued that the immediate priority should be reopening the waterway and restoring the flow of energy shipments before broader nuclear negotiations proceed.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters to Global Oil Markets
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy shipping routes, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Before the conflict disrupted traffic, approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade passed through the narrow waterway.
Restrictions on shipping have therefore raised concerns about energy supplies, transport costs and the wider economic consequences of prolonged instability in the Middle East.
A reopening agreement could help restore maritime traffic and ease pressure on energy markets. However, the outlook remains uncertain while Washington and Tehran disagree over the conditions needed to reach a deal.
Diplomatic Breakthrough Remains Uncertain
Araqchi’s latest comments indicate that Iran is still willing to pursue a negotiated solution, but the proposal depends on Washington accepting Tehran’s conditions.
The United States has not publicly agreed to the full package, and there is no confirmed date for the resumption of substantive negotiations.
For now, the future of the Strait of Hormuz remains closely tied to the broader dispute between the two countries. Whether the latest diplomatic initiative can break the deadlock will depend on the willingness of both sides to narrow their differences.
The key issue remains unresolved: Iran says it is ready to reopen the waterway within days if its demands are met, while the United States continues to press for concessions on Iran’s nuclear programme.