Iran proposes reopening Strait of Hormuz in exchange for US lifting sanctions

Iran is awaiting a response from US President Donald Trump to a new proposal to resume nuclear talks within a week, which includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States lifting its maritime blockade, removing sanctions on Iranian oil sales, and reinstating a ceasefire in the region, according to Axios.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented these conditions during indirect talks with Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with Qatar facilitating message exchanges between Washington and Tehran.

However, the American negotiators told the Iranian side that Tehran does not control the Strait of Hormuz and therefore cannot set conditions regarding its reopening.

Masoud Pezeshkian, an Iranian official, said the initiative to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is awaiting a "green light" from Trump, as Doha continues its efforts to advance the diplomatic process between the two sides.

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met with Pezeshkian in New York on Thursday to discuss the diplomatic track, according to Axios.

The outlet quoted a source familiar with the mediation efforts as saying that both Qatar and Iran are awaiting Trump’s response, adding that it is too early to determine the direction of the negotiations, though there have been "some positive developments."