Iran urges US to accept Strait of Hormuz reopening proposal amid ceasefire talks

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that Tehran's conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz remain in place. Speaking to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, Araghchi stated that if the United States complies with the terms of a seven-day ceasefire proposal presented in September, the strategic waterway would reopen on the sixth day, with negotiations beginning on the seventh day.

The proposal calls for an end to the American naval blockade, the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil, and a ceasefire on all fronts. "Our conditions are fair, and if the United States is willing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, it can meet them within a few days," Araghchi said.

Maritime Attacks Intensify

The call for reopening comes amid a sharp increase in violence in the region. The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations monitoring agency reported that at least 10 vessels have been attacked in or near the Strait of Hormuz since the previous Sunday. This represents a weekly high since the war broke out in February. The agency noted that 23 attacks were recorded since the start of the month, nearly double the average.

On Sunday, the agency reported that a tugboat traveling southbound off the coast of the United Arab Emirates was struck by two unknown projectiles. The vessel sustained damage but continued its route, with one minor casualty reported. Earlier in the week, Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps claimed an oil tanker carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil struck a mine in the strait, causing a fire. The Guards stated the tanker was attempting to pass "illegally" with U.S. support.

Regional Conflict Escalates

The conflict has also intensified between the Saudi-led military coalition and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. On Sunday, the Saudi-led coalition reported that two pilots were killed when their AH-6i reconnaissance helicopter crashed in Najran, near the Yemen border. The coalition attributed the crash to a "technical malfunction," while the Houthis claimed they had downed an Apache helicopter.

In Riyadh, the landmark Kingdom Centre skyscraper ordered "mandatory" remote working for office tenants until further notice following security alerts and drone interceptions. The Saudi civil defense agency reported that six people were injured in Najran after a Houthi projectile struck a residential area.

Diplomatic Reactions

Yemen's Foreign Minister Afrah Alzouba rejected Iran's offer to mediate the war between the internationally recognized government and the Houthis. "When Iran's foreign minister and his officials offer 'mediation' in Yemen, they are offering to mediate a war ignited by the coup of the Houthi terrorist militia with their regime's backing," Alzouba said. She added that Tehran should "withdraw its hand and its weapons from Yemen."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with counterparts from Turkey, Egypt, and other nations at a gathering of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Baghdad. Araghchi stated that Tehran supports a "political process" to resolve the Saudi-Houthi conflict and emphasized diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions.

Why it matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies. The reopening of the waterway is contingent on U.S. compliance with Iranian demands, including the lifting of sanctions and the end of the naval blockade. With maritime attacks rising and regional conflicts escalating, the stability of global oil markets and the potential for further military confrontation remain high. The U.S. Central Command has refuted Iranian claims of control over the strait, stating that American forces and regional partners maintain control.

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Sources

• cbsnews.com: Live Updates: Iran says Strait of Hormuz reopening, seven-day ceasefire conditions still on the table
• cnbc.com: Iran ‘counting the moments’ until it can attack American warships

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.