lukman-hakim
Iran has put forward a proposal to the United States that would see the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz reopened within one week, according to remarks made by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the United Nations in New York. Speaking to reporters, Araghchi explained that the reopening could take place "if the necessary conditions are met," and he indicated that those conditions are already outlined in a memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries in June. The message, he said, was conveyed to Washington through Qatar.
The foreign minister was careful not to detail precisely what steps Iran expects the US to take, but he stressed that the requirements are not novel. "The actions that the United States should take are not new. They are all already in the MOU," he said. Araghchi added that if Washington demonstrates genuine seriousness about reaching an agreement, the groundwork for restoring normal maritime traffic through the strait is already in place. He framed the decision as one that now belongs to the United States.
The memorandum of understanding, signed on 18 June, was a 14-point document intended to establish a ceasefire and at least partially reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Among its provisions, it stated that Iran would never pursue a nuclear weapon and that the US, Iran, and their respective allies would halt military operations on all fronts. It also outlined the end of a US naval blockade and the promise of sanctions relief. Iran further committed to making best efforts to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the strait and to hold discussions with Oman regarding future shipping arrangements.
Despite these commitments, the agreement collapsed shortly after it was signed when both sides resumed hostile actions. Iran has since targeted vessels it claims attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz without proper authorisation, while the US has struck Iranian sites in the strait as well as Iranian tankers near the country's coastline. Washington has also maintained a blockade of Iranian ports, a measure that has inflicted severe damage on Iran's economy.
A US official, speaking to the BBC, acknowledged that positive discussions were underway through intermediaries, including on nuclear-related matters, but indicated that Washington has not yet issued a formal response to the Iranian proposal. The official also downplayed any sense of urgency, stating that the US enjoys "a very strong position with control of the Strait of Hormuz, so we are not in a rush."
However, the Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that President Donald Trump has already rejected the deal. According to that report, Trump is privately sceptical that Iran will fulfil his demands and has told his staff that he expects a renewed bombing campaign to be likely. The newspaper also suggested that the president's calculations are influenced by the upcoming Congressional elections in November, which have increased pressure on him to find a way out of the conflict.
The current crisis traces back to 28 February, when the United States and Israel launched air strikes on Iran. Tehran retaliated by attacking Israel, US bases in the Gulf, and Arab Gulf allies of Washington, as well as blocking the Strait of Hormuz. Before the war and the subsequent closure, approximately 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passed through the strait. The disruption has caused wild fluctuations in energy prices and placed significant strain on global markets.
In an interview with CBS News, the BBC's US partner, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reinforced his foreign minister's message, saying that the ceasefire process "will begin from the very day they accept it." He referred to the earlier agreement based on the memorandum signed in Pakistan and suggested that if the United States agrees to proceed along those lines, conditions could return to what they were before the conflict. Pezeshkian also indicated that Iran would now permit United Nations nuclear inspectors into the country, rejecting assertions that Tehran is attempting to develop a nuclear weapon. "If they wish to come in and have inspections, we can reach accords and agreements vis-à-vis that specific topic within the negotiations," he said.
Shipping data illustrates the scale of the disruption. According to Kpler, a commodities data and analytics firm cited by Reuters, the recent 10-day average was about 18 transits per day through the Strait of Hormuz, with daily numbers dropping as low as nine vessels on certain days. Trump has claimed that the US has been successful in getting oil out through the strait, but the figures suggest that traffic remains far below normal levels.
The situation has been further complicated by the activities of Yemen's Houthis, who are allied with Iran. The group has recently intensified attacks aimed at disrupting oil exports from Saudi Arabia via the Red Sea on the other side of the Arabian peninsula. This month, the Houthis seized large strategically important stretches of the Red Sea coast in a rapid offensive, including the port of Mokha, which overlooks the Bab al-Mandab Strait, another critical chokepoint for global shipping. US media has reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has requested military assistance in response to these attacks, though the source article does not provide further details on that request.
The convergence of these developments places enormous pressure on Washington. The Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of global energy security, and its continued closure threatens to destabilise oil markets further while complicating US military and diplomatic objectives in the region. Iran's proposal, framed as a ready-made pathway to de-escalation, now sits with the White House. Whether the Trump administration chooses to engage with the offer or pursue a more aggressive posture will shape not only the future of the strait but also the broader trajectory of US-Iran relations in the months ahead.
Comments (0)