CAIRO — Iran has reportedly proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the lifting of U.S. restrictions and an end to the ongoing conflict, according to two regional officials familiar with closed-door negotiations.
The proposal, relayed to Washington through Pakistan, suggests that broader talks on Iran’s nuclear program would be addressed in a later phase. However, officials said the plan is unlikely to be accepted by the United States, noting that significant disputes remain unresolved following the outbreak of war earlier this year.
The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic maritime chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments pass, has become a central pressure point in the conflict. U.S. measures aimed at blocking Iranian oil exports have sharply reduced Tehran’s revenue, while also contributing to global supply disruptions.
At the same time, restrictions and security risks in the waterway have caused shipping delays and driven up global energy prices, with ripple effects on food, fertilizer, and other commodities.
Oil markets have reflected the tensions, with Brent crude prices rising to around $108 per barrel, nearly 50 percent higher than before the war began, according to market data cited in reports.
U.S. President Donald Trump has maintained that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons remains a core objective of Washington’s position. Iran, however, continues to insist that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
The proposal also comes amid ongoing diplomatic maneuvering involving regional mediators. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Russia for consultations with President Vladimir Putin, as Tehran seeks support from longstanding allies.
Iranian officials have also engaged in discussions with intermediaries in Pakistan and Gulf states, including Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, in an effort to revive stalled negotiations with Washington.
A regional official involved in mediation efforts said Iran is seeking guarantees that U.S. restrictions on oil exports would be lifted before any new round of talks begins. Mediators are reportedly attempting to bridge wide gaps between the parties.
The proposal follows a fragile ceasefire arrangement that has temporarily reduced hostilities but has yet to produce a permanent settlement. According to earlier reports, thousands have been killed across Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and parts of the Gulf region since the conflict escalated.
Despite diplomatic activity, key issues remain unresolved, particularly over Iran’s nuclear capabilities and U.S. demands regarding its uranium stockpile.
Officials said discussions remain fluid, with no confirmed agreement on whether the latest proposal will advance to formal negotiations.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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