Iran ready to reopen Strait of Hormuz if US eases military pressure, lifts blockade

Iran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the United States eases military pressure and lifts its blockade of Iranian ports, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Tuesday.

On Sunday, Iran’s military central command said it had been informed that the United States was preparing to restart military operations with the support of regional countries. It warned that any such action would prompt Tehran to retaliate “without limitations and considerations”.

“The US needs to announce that it wants to resolve the issue diplomatically, make that official, and then agree on a timeline for how the process will move forward,” the senior Iranian official said.

The official added that Iran’s delegation to the United Nations General Assembly was in New York and had full authority to revive diplomatic talks with the United States.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who left Tehran for New York on Tuesday morning, will not meet US President Donald Trump at the UN headquarters in New York, the official told Reuters.

The Iranian official said details of an agreement to end hostilities with Washington could be discussed in New York through mediators, adding that Tehran had delivered its proposal to the United States through mediators on September 16.

“The UN General Assembly is a golden opportunity for the US to return to diplomacy,” the official said, adding that Tehran would welcome a revival of diplomatic talks if Washington takes tangible steps.