Iran proposes two-day implementation period to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Iran has proposed cutting the implementation period for its plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to two days after consultations with Qatari mediators, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday.

Reopening the waterway under Tehran’s terms would pave the way for negotiations with Washington, he said.

How long would it take Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz?

Under the latest proposal, two days. Araghchi told Al Jazeera that Qatar had initially suggested a five-day period to implement the Iranian proposal, but discussions produced a revised timeline of two days. He did not provide further details of the proposed arrangements.

What conditions has Iran set for reopening the Strait of Hormuz?

Tehran’s conditions include lifting sanctions imposed after the Islamabad memorandum, reducing US military forces in the region, restoring oil waivers and releasing frozen Iranian assets, Araghchi said. The assets include funds held in Qatar.

Iran also wants recognition of specific shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, which it has discussed with Oman, and the closure of other routes, he added.

Will Iran meet US officials after the Hormuz proposal?

Araghchi said Iran had no immediate plans to meet US officials, dismissing reports of an imminent meeting as media speculation. He said Tehran saw no need for direct talks at present. Any decision on direct or indirect negotiations would depend on whether its conditions were addressed.

Qatari and Pakistani mediators were continuing consultations with Iran on its demands, while an Iranian delegation had travelled to Qatar for further discussions. Mediators had also presented proposals concerning Iran’s nuclear program, which Tehran was reviewing as part of a second phase of consultations.

Araghchi described a US effort to open a channel of communication as a positive step. He said Iran had reviewed a letter from US Vice President JD Vance during high-level meetings. He warned, however, that Washington would make another mistake if its intention was to use the communication to create divisions within Iran.