Iran announced on September 16 that it can fully reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz within seven days if Washington eases military pressure and lifts ongoing port blockades. A senior Iranian official delivered this high-stakes proposal to Washington through diplomatic intermediaries during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
This major diplomatic overture follows months of intense maritime disruption, severe economic sanctions, targeted airstrikes, and mounting pressure on international energy markets. Prior to the ongoing conflict, roughly one-fifth of globally traded oil and liquefied natural gas passed directly through this crucial waterway connecting the Persian Gulf.
While Washington has maintained a strict naval blockade targeting key Iranian ports and kept military forces active throughout the region, Tehran has heavily restricted commercial shipping. The prolonged standoff has triggered widespread anxiety across global financial markets and severely disrupted international supply chains, prompting urgent calls for peace.