Iran has told the United States it can reach an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, according to reports. The proposal was disclosed as US officials said negotiations were ongoing, conducted through third-party mediators.
A US official speaking to the BBC described the exchanges as "constructive discussions" taking place via intermediaries, but gave no further detail on the terms Iran has put forward or the identity of the mediators. US and Iranian officials have not publicly confirmed specifics of the offer.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically vital waterway linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Indian Ocean, and it is a major route for global energy shipments. Any suspension or restriction of traffic through the strait can have immediate consequences for regional security and world energy markets, which is why international attention is focused on the negotiations.
Tensions between Tehran and Washington have been a persistent feature of the bilateral relationship, and efforts to de-escalate or resolve disputes have occasionally involved indirect talks. The latest reported offer signals a possible window for a swift breakthrough, but observers caution that past negotiations have often been protracted and contingent on broader political and security considerations.
Diplomats and commercial actors will be watching for confirmation from either side and for details on the timing and conditions of any agreement. Until an accord is formally announced and implemented, the status of shipping through the strait will remain uncertain and closely monitored by governments and market participants.