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World

Iran offers to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within days — with conditions; Trump sees deal after midterms

Tehran says it could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the US eases military pressure and lifts its blockade, while Trump said a deal could come after the midterms.

By Sarah Whitfield · · Updated · 2 min read

The oil tanker Omala moored at an offshore oil terminal in the Persian Gulf
U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Richard J. Brunson, public domain · source

A senior Iranian official said Tehran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz to Gulf shipping within seven days if the US eased military pressure and lifted its blockade on Iranian ports, Reuters reported from the UN on Tuesday — a proposal conveyed through mediators last week.

Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran’s conditions are a halt to US “acts of aggression”, an end to the naval blockade and economic warfare, and the release of Iranian assets, CNBC reported. State broadcaster IRIB said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met unexpectedly with US envoy Steve Witkoff on the UN sidelines at Washington’s request; Witkoff’s own account described only indirect talks “through the mediators, who shuttled between the two sides throughout the day”, RWT News reported.

Trump told the General Assembly: “Will a deal be made with Iran? Or do I annihilate the Islamic Republic, and do it quickly?” — then predicted a deal “right after the election because it doesn’t make sense for them not to.” CNBC Marco Rubio told NBC’s “Today” the US was open to talks “especially if it has the prospects of leading to something positive”, Reuters reported.

Only two vessels transited the strait on Monday against a pre-war average of about 125 a day, while Brent fell below $100 a barrel for the first time in two weeks, near $98. But Al Arabiya, citing a US official present, reported Washington had rejected the blockade-lifting request and that the chances of a deal remained limited.

Sources

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