Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced at the United Nations General Assembly that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen within seven days should Washington accept Tehran's conditions, with nuclear talks potentially resuming afterward.
"If certain conditions are met, the Strait of Hormuz will be open at the end of seven days, and talks will be restarted," Araghchi told reporters. He characterized the demands as consistent with the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, a ceasefire arrangement signed between Iran and the United States in June that collapsed in early July.
The announcement comes nearly seven months into conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, and follows Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's response to threats made at the General Assembly.
Oil markets reacted to the potential negotiations. Brent crude futures for November delivery declined 1 percent to $105.56 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude futures for November fell 1.8 percent to $92.94 per barrel.
Open-source satellite intelligence reports indicated that U.S. naval vessels previously positioned in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea had relocated from their earlier blockade positions. The USS George Washington, USS George H.W. Bush, USS Tripoli, and several Arleigh Burke-class destroyers moved from their original deployment zones. The USS Gerald R. Ford is also departing the region after an 11-month deployment, according to U.S. Navy records.
During a separate appearance, President Pezeshkian stated that Iran does not want conflict to continue and remains willing to negotiate. He claimed Iran would accept inspections of its nuclear program with enrichment maintained below specified thresholds, saying the decision to end hostilities rests with the United States.
U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue said Friday that Trump has spent recent weeks warning China against providing Iran with assistance, whether direct or indirect, describing any such support as unacceptable.
