Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restart negotiations on its nuclear programme within seven days, conditional on the United States lifting its naval blockade, removing sanctions on Iranian oil exports, and agreeing to a ceasefire that would include Lebanon. The proposal was outlined by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during a private meeting on the sidelines of this week’s United Nations General Assembly in New York.
According to attendees, Araghchi emphasized that a swift agreement could benefit U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of the November midterm elections. The plan closely resembles a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached in June but would accelerate the timeline from the earlier 60-day interim period. That June agreement had aimed to ease tensions by allowing waivers for Iranian oil exports and resuming shipping through the strait while both sides sought a long-term settlement. However, it quickly unraveled after attacks on vessels transiting the waterway resumed earlier this summer.
Despite the renewed proposal, there was no immediate response from Iran’s UN mission or other officials. On the U.S. side, President Trump has stated he is not in a hurry to finalize a deal, even as elevated oil prices contribute to inflation and rising living costs. Questions remain about whether Iran’s hardline security forces would accept compromises supported by relatively moderate figures such as Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, who has been active in diplomatic efforts.
Experts attending the private discussions, including Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute, noted cautious optimism mixed with skepticism. Parsi suggested that if Trump views the arrangement as politically advantageous in the lead-up to the elections and as a way to alleviate soaring gas prices, the U.S. might display greater flexibility than in recent weeks. However, he also highlighted deep suspicion that Iran might be using the initiative to gain time to increase its oil exports and relieve its economic difficulties.
Further diplomatic movement was seen when Masoud Pezeshkian met with the prime minister of Qatar, a key regional mediator, on Friday. Qatar has played a significant role in facilitating indirect talks between Tehran and Washington during the UN gathering.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented earlier this week that the administration remained open to exchanging ideas and messages through available channels. Meanwhile, a White House official described discussions as “positive and constructive” but declined to comment specifically on Iran’s latest proposal.
The proposal also calls for a comprehensive ceasefire that would include Lebanese hostilities, a component that had been part of the earlier MoU but remains a complex issue given regional dynamics. In previous statements, President Trump accused Iran of delaying negotiations until after the midterm elections, asserting that the outcome would not influence the U.S. administration’s approach toward Tehran. Both sides have expressed guarded views about the durability of any forthcoming agreement, underscoring the fragility of diplomatic efforts amid continuing tensions in the Gulf region.