In brief
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei reaffirmed that a two‑day proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is still being pursued. The plan, originally a seven‑day suggestion, would allow commercial shipping to resume within 48 hours if the United States meets Tehran’s conditions. The announcement comes after a ceasefire in April and a memorandum of understanding signed in June, but hostilities have continued to flare.
At a weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Washington still has an opportunity to prompt a rapid reopening of the Strait of Hormuz by agreeing to Tehran’s conditions. The announcement reaffirmed that a two‑day plan that was originally framed as a seven‑day proposal remains on the table.
In his remarks, Baghaei presented the proposal as a clear sign of Iran’s good faith. He described it as "the most logical proposal" and asserted that if the United States meets Iran’s demands, the West Asia region would see a swift restoration of security within two days.
«Our position regarding the negotiations is completely clear and transparent. Iran’s two‑day plan per se is indicative of the country’s utmost good faith,» said Baghaei.
Baghaei’s statement follows a record of escalating military confrontations. On February 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks against Tehran and other Iranian cities. Iran then struck back with repeated missile and drone sorties aimed at Israeli and U.S. targets in the region. The series of strikes prompted Iran to tighten its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow maritime passage that channels 30 % of the world’s crude oil trade.
On April 8, a ceasefire was brokered between the warring parties, ending a month‑long cycle of hostilities. Iran and the United States later signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18 aimed at ending the larger regional war. That memorandum set a timetable for negotiations to conclude within 60 days, with the aim of reaching a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme and the removal of sanctions. However, talks stalled once the two states could not reach a sufficient deal, and tensions began to rise again.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the original seven‑day proposal was outlined in September, calling for a phased ceasefire and a reopening of the strait within a week of meeting conditions. The Ministry later indicated that the schedule could be shortened to two days if Washington agreed to meet Tehran’s demands. While the exact terms have not been disclosed, the Ministry stressed that the plan would allow commercial shipping to return to the strait almost immediately after the United States’ compliance.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic chokepoint that serves as the primary route for Middle Eastern oil exports to global markets. A swift reopening would relieve shipping lanes that have suffered from congestion and heightened security measures since the missile and drone attacks. The Marine Trade Association and several major shipping companies have underscored the urgency of restoring full passage to avoid cascade delays and increased insurance costs for vessels.
Economic analysts note that any movement toward a reopening, even a brief two‑day window, is likely to have an immediate positive impact on freight rates and will reduce the risk premium on shipping through the region. However, many market observers remain skeptical that Washington will meet Iran’s conditions in time for the plan to materialise, citing the unresolved core issues such as the nuclear agreement and sanction relief.
The announcement comes as Iran continues to show readiness to engage in high‑level talks with Washington while signalling that any delay would jeopardise the short‑term opportunity for shipping to resume. The Ministry has called on the United States to “make its decision if it has correctly understood its people’s message.” The enduring dispute over the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint in the broader geopolitical contest surrounding Iran’s influence in the Persian Gulf.
