Iran urges US to accept seven-day proposal to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Iran has urged the United States to accept its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under a seven-day framework, as conflict across the waterway continues to disrupt global energy traffic.

Speaking on the sidelines of an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation meeting in Baghdad, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran's offer remains active despite stalled negotiations. Under the Iranian terms, the strategic shipping channel would reopen on the sixth day after an agreement, with formal bilateral talks resuming on the seventh.

However, the proposal remains contingent on Washington meeting seven specific demands. Tehran is requiring an immediate end to the US naval blockade on its ports, the cancellation of sanctions on Iranian oil exports, and a complete cessation of military hostilities across the region.

What Washington and Tehran are demanding

Washington has so far refused to accept the terms without concessions on Iran's nuclear capabilities. US Vice President J.D. Vance stated earlier this month that Tehran must make tangible reductions to its uranium enrichment capacity before any war-ending deal can be finalised.

Meanwhile, the US military maintains that it retains control over the waterway despite ongoing hostilities. US Central Command chief Brad Cooper stated that 400 vessels carrying 100 million barrels of oil traversed the strait over the past week. Cooper added that the US naval blockade has deprived Iran of $25 billion in oil export revenue and seized $350 million in cryptocurrency funds linked to Tehran.

The conflict has severely curtailed shipping volumes through the vital corridor, which previously carried roughly one-fifth of global crude supply.

Escalating attacks on Persian Gulf shipping

Despite diplomatic overtures, attacks on commercial traffic in and around the strait have intensified. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported at least 12 confirmed attacks on vessels during the second week of October, noting that many shipmasters are refusing to report incidents.

Recent incidents include a tugboat damaged by two projectiles off the United Arab Emirates coast and a tanker struck by a rocket-propelled grenade off the Saudi city of Jubail.

Tensions also surround the cause of ship damage. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed a supertanker carrying two million barrels of oil caught fire after striking an underwater mine in an unauthorised lane. US Central Command disputed the claim, stating its forces had cleared mines from the channel and accusing Iranian forces of hitting civilian vessels with direct fire.

Iran's newly appointed Defence Minister Mehrdad Akhlaghi warned that any resumption or expansion of US military strikes would result in "enormous damage" to American forces and regional allies.