Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Could Reopen Within 7 Days if US Eases Pressure

Oil tankers sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments.

 DUBAI, September 22, 2026: Iran has said it could reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the United States eases military pressure and lifts its blockade on Iranian ports, according to a senior Iranian official who spoke to Reuters.

The official said Tehran wants Washington to formally indicate that it is prepared to pursue a diplomatic solution before negotiations can move forward. Iran’s proposal to end hostilities was reportedly conveyed to the United States through mediators on September 16.

Iran Seeks Diplomatic Path

The Iranian official said Tehran’s delegation attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York has authority to pursue renewed diplomacy with Washington.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is also travelling to New York for the UN General Assembly. However, the official said Pezeshkian does not currently plan to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the UN headquarters.

According to the official, Tehran sees the UN gathering as an opportunity to restart negotiations if Washington takes what Iran considers concrete steps toward diplomacy.

Hormuz Shipping Traffic Has Fallen Sharply

The development comes as commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely reduced.

Preliminary shipping data cited by Reuters showed that only two commodity vessels crossed the waterway on Monday, compared with 10 the previous day. Before the conflict began on February 28, the strait normally handled around 125 large commercial vessels a day.

The data may not capture vessels travelling with their automatic identification system transponders switched off.

The Strait of Hormuz is a major international energy route connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Its disruption has therefore attracted significant attention from oil markets and shipping companies.

Impact on Oil Markets

Oil prices moved lower on Tuesday after Iran’s statement raised expectations of potentially greater supplies through the region.

Reuters reported that Brent crude futures were down about 2% to $98.33 a barrel at 1027 GMT, while WTI crude fell about 2.6% to $93.28.

However, the reopening proposal does not mean that the waterway has already reopened or that a U.S.-Iran agreement has been reached.

Important Fact

Iran’s offer is conditional. A senior Iranian official said the Strait of Hormuz could reopen within seven days if Washington eases military pressure and lifts its blockade on Iranian ports. No finalized U.S.-Iran agreement confirming such a reopening had been announced at the time of the report.