Iran Offers to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Within 48 Hours if US Meets Demands
Iran said on Monday it is prepared to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days if the United States agrees to its conditions, shortening an earlier seven-day proposal as diplomatic contacts continue through mediators.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei made the announcement at a briefing in Tehran.
“The possibility of implementing this plan in two days is another indication of Iran’s good-faith approach,” he said.
“We have stated that, if Iran’s demands are met, it would be possible to restore security to the Strait of Hormuz and resume the negotiating process within a short period.”
Baqaei noted that messages are being exchanged with the United States via mediators and that “everything depends” on Washington accepting Tehran’s demands before further stages can be discussed.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy corridor that normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption, has been effectively blockaded by Iran since a wider regional conflict began in February 2026.
The disruption has driven up energy prices and created political pressure, including ahead of US midterm elections.
Iran first floated a seven-day reopening plan in September through Qatari mediators.
The revised two-day timeline would see the United States take agreed initial steps on the first day, followed by the restoration of shipping on the second, according to statements from Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Tehran’s conditions include ending the war on all fronts, unfreezing Iranian assets held abroad (including funds in Qatar), lifting oil-related sanctions, ending the US naval counter-blockade of Iranian ports, recognising a new shipping route agreed with Oman, reducing the US military presence in the region, and reinstating oil export waivers.
Araghchi had outlined similar requirements in recent comments to Al Jazeera, emphasising that progress on Hormuz could help restart broader negotiations with Washington.
The announcement came as US President Donald Trump issued fresh warnings to Iran during campaign rallies, while oil markets reacted to the potential easing of the blockade.
No final agreement has been reached, and Iranian officials have stressed that the strait will not reopen until the stated conditions are fulfilled.
By Oyinkansola Shittu.
