Iran has indicated it could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours if the United States agrees to its demands, raising hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough in the conflict despite fresh military threats from President Donald Trump.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei disclosed the proposal on Monday, describing it as evidence of Tehran's willingness to de-escalate tensions and return to negotiations.
He said the reopening of the strategic waterway and the resumption of diplomatic talks could happen within days if Washington accepts the conditions put forward by Iran.
“The possibility of implementing this plan in two days is another indication of Iran's good-faith approach,” Baqaei said during a briefing.
He added that restoring security along the Strait of Hormuz would depend on the United States meeting Iran's demands.
“We have stated that, if Iran's demands are met, it would be possible to restore security to the Strait of Hormuz and resume the negotiating process within a short period,” he said.
The offer comes after months of disruption to shipping through the narrow passage, which normally accounts for approximately 20 per cent of global oil consumption.
Iran's blockade of the waterway since the outbreak of hostilities on February 28 has unsettled international energy markets, pushing up fuel costs and increasing economic pressure on countries dependent on Gulf oil supplies.
Tehran had earlier proposed a seven-day arrangement in September to restore shipping activities, subject to an end to the war across all fronts, the unfreezing of its overseas assets, the removal of oil sanctions and the termination of Washington's counter-blockade of Iranian ports.
Baqaei said indirect communications between Iran and the United States were continuing through mediators but stressed that negotiations could not advance without American acceptance of Tehran's demands.
“Everything depends on the American side accepting these demands. Only then can we discuss the subsequent stages,” he said.
However, Trump's latest remarks suggest that the prospect of a diplomatic settlement remains uncertain.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Iowa ahead of Tuesday's US midterm elections, the American president threatened further military action against Iran, saying Washington had so far refrained from deploying overwhelming force.
“The only reason why I'm not finished with Iran is I want to be nice. I want to try and save all those lives if I can,” Trump said.
“But at some point we're going to have to give them the hammer.”
The president's remarks came amid mounting domestic concerns over energy prices and inflation, with the disruption of oil shipments through Hormuz emerging as an important economic and political issue.
Meanwhile, regional and international diplomatic efforts to prevent a return to hostilities have gathered momentum.
Officials from Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey have engaged Iranian authorities in recent days, while US Vice President JD Vance has reportedly sent a letter to Tehran.
Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq also discussed the conflict with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit to Beijing on Monday.
An Omani Foreign Ministry statement said both leaders called on Iran and the United States to pursue a diplomatic resolution, achieve a ceasefire and prevent another war.
China has also stepped up its diplomatic engagement, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi holding discussions with Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council.
Wang urged all parties to exercise restraint and prioritise negotiations over military confrontation.
He said China supported Iran's efforts to protect its sovereignty and security, while emphasising the need for a political solution.
Bagheri, however, maintained that Iran would not compromise on its national security, sovereignty or territorial integrity.
In another diplomatic signal, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera that Washington must accept a new transit arrangement agreed between Tehran and Muscat for vessels using the Strait of Hormuz.
He also called for the removal of sanctions imposed by the United States in recent months and a reduction in American military presence in the region.
Washington has since August introduced fresh economic restrictions against Iran under what it described as a campaign of economic pressure aimed at weakening Tehran.
The diplomatic efforts are unfolding against the backdrop of continued threats by the United States and Israel to resume military operations.
The joint offensive launched on February 28 marked the beginning of the current war, which has since heightened tensions across the Middle East and threatened the stability of global energy supplies.
On Saturday, Trump said there were still one or two targets he needed to deal with, including Pickaxe Mountain in central Iran, which is suspected of housing a nuclear facility. Tehran has denied that the site is a nuclear installation.
Iran responded by warning that any renewed attack would trigger a forceful military response.
“Any act of aggression against Iran, any military attack against Iran, by whatever means, will be met with a powerful, immediate and comprehensive response from us,” Baqaei said.
Tehran had also warned that a fresh confrontation with Washington could last longer than the previous round of fighting, indicating its readiness for a prolonged conflict if diplomatic initiatives collapse.
The standoff presents a growing political challenge for Trump as Democrats seek to secure at least partial control of Congress in Tuesday's midterm elections.
Beyond its military implications, the crisis has placed the global energy market under considerable strain, given the importance of the Strait of Hormuz to international oil shipments.
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