Iran Sets Condition for Reopening Strait
A senior Iranian official has said that Iran is able to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, provided the United States reduces its military pressure and ends its blockade of Iranian ports. The official made the statement to Reuters on Tuesday. The offer signals a potential path to de-escalation in the strategic waterway, which has been a flashpoint between the two countries.[S1]
On Sunday, Iran's military central command announced it had been informed that the United States was preparing to restart military operations with the backing of regional countries. The command warned that such a move would trigger retaliation from Tehran without limitations and considerations. The warning underscores the fragile security situation in the region.[S1]
Diplomatic Opening in New York
According to the senior official who spoke with Reuters, Washington must first declare publicly that it intends to settle the matter through diplomatic channels, formalize that position, and only then settle on a schedule for how the process would proceed. The same official noted that Iran's delegation attending the United Nations General Assembly is currently in New York and holds complete authority to restore diplomatic engagement with the United States. The official characterized the UN General Assembly as a prime opening for Washington to re-engage diplomatically, adding that Tehran would embrace renewed diplomacy provided the US takes concrete measures.[S1]
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian departed Tehran for New York on Tuesday morning, yet according to the official he will not hold a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the UN headquarters there. The official further stated that the specifics of an arrangement to halt hostilities with Washington could be worked out in New York through intermediaries, and noted that Tehran's proposal had been conveyed to the United States via mediators on September 16.[S1]
