Iran has transmitted a new proposal to the United States through intermediaries to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if specific conditions are met, according to statements made by Iranian officials at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The development comes amid high-stakes diplomatic maneuvering and ongoing regional tensions as transit security hangs in the balance.
The Proposed Seven-Day Timeline and Core Conditions
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi outlined the diplomatic overture during an event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. According to Araghchi, the new plan envisions opening the maritime chokepoint to shipping traffic within a one-week window, provided that certain conditions are met. Following the opening, negotiations between Washington and Tehran could resume to forge a final agreement.
Araghchi noted that reaching an agreement before the U.S. midterm elections on November 3 would be preferable. The terms largely mirror a memorandum signed by both nations in June, though adjustments are conceivable. While the June agreement mapped out a 60-day period for the gradual opening, the newly proposed seven-day window is designed to create an incentive for Donald Trump to consider the plan. Under the June framework, the United States had agreed under certain conditions to lift its blockade of Iranian ports, release frozen Iranian funds on foreign accounts, and suspend sanctions targeting Iranian oil exports.
Washington’s Response and Regional Dynamics
The administration in Washington has maintained a cautious stance regarding the proposal. Officials indicated that the United States is not in a hurry, noting that it controls the Strait of Hormuz. While President Donald Trump stated during his UN address that he believes an agreement after the midterms is possible, Washington insists any comprehensive agreement with Iran must also include the Iranian nuclear program.
The June memorandum and the associated ceasefire collapsed in July after the Revolutionary Guard fired on three ships that had attempted to leave the strait without coordination with Iran. Despite that setback, Iran has secured an agreement with Oman regarding a temporary route through the Strait of Hormuz. Araghchi also confirmed during his New York visit that China supports the Iranian proposal, following a visit to Beijing prior to the UN assembly.
Domestic Reception and Leadership Support
Inside Tehran, the diplomatic push has faced sharp resistance from hardline factions arguing that negotiators lacked a mandate from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. However, high-ranking military officials—including Armed Forces Chief of Staff Ali Abdollahi and Revolutionary Guard Commander Ahmad Vahidi—publicly rallied behind President Masoud Pezeshkian. Abdollahi praised Pezeshkian’s UN address for giving voice to the Iranian nation, while Pezeshkian emphasized in an interview with Fox News that it is up to America whether the war can be ended by the end of the year.
As international stakeholders monitor diplomatic developments, American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have exchanged views with Araghchi via intermediaries.
