Iran Offers Conditional Reopening of Strait of Hormuz

Iran says it has offered the United States a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, or in phases, if Washington lifts its blockade of Iranian ports and sanctions and addresses frozen Iranian assets and other demands. Talks involving Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have taken place with mediation by Qatar and other regional states; officials describe discussions as positive but no agreement has been reached. President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about a possible deal, while the White House says it is in no rush. U.S. Central Command says American forces have redirected 109 commercial vessels amid maritime restrictions. European officials have urged Iran to restore free passage, and dozens of countries at the UN called for the strait to reopen and condemned Houthi attacks and threats to shipping. The impasse is pressuring a route that normally carries about one-fifth of seaborne oil and significant liquefied natural gas supplies, while oil prices have risen despite reports of negotiations.