Iran Demands US Lifting of Blockade for Strait Reopening

The United States and Iran are locked in a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which much of the world's oil is transported. In an effort to break this impasse, Tehran has proposed reopening the strait and restarting talks over its nuclear program within seven days if Washington agrees to several conditions.

The proposal, outlined by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at a private gathering on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, includes lifting the U.S. naval blockade, waiving sanctions on Iranian oil sales, and observing a ceasefire that would include Lebanon.

This offer closely resembles a memorandum of understanding reached in June, though it sets a faster timetable. That earlier agreement called for a 60-day interim period but collapsed after Iran resumed attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.