Iran Signals Readiness to Reopen Strait of Hormuz in Two Days if US Meets Conditions
Iran announced on Monday that it is prepared to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days if the United States agrees to its conditions, marking a significant shift from its previous proposal of a one-week timeline. The strait, a critical chokepoint through which approximately a fifth of the world’s traded oil and gas passed before the conflict, has been disrupted by Iran, becoming a major source of leverage in its confrontation with Washington. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stated that the two-day plan demonstrates Iran’s good-faith approach, saying, “We have stated that, if Iran’s demands are met, it would be possible to restore security to the Strait of Hormuz and resume the negotiating process within a short period.” This offer, however, remains conditional on the US fulfilling Iran’s demands, and no agreement between the two countries has been announced.nnThe diplomatic signals come amid ongoing consultations with Qatari mediators, which Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi described on Sunday as “ongoing and progressing.” Araghchi also emphasized that Tehran remains prepared for both defence and diplomacy. Despite these positive indications, Iran’s top security official Mohsen Rezaei had earlier stated that no talks would take place and the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed unless Tehran’s seven conditions were met. Rezaei maintained that these conditions differ entirely from the framework of the Islamabad negotiations, according to Al Jazeera. His remarks underscore the deep-seated mistrust and the high stakes involved in the negotiations.nnIn a post on X, Rezaei issued a stark warning, stating that Iran would deliver “devastating blows” to any aggressor using “new weaponry” if the country was attacked, while reiterating that diplomacy remained possible if Tehran’s conditions were fulfilled. This dual approach—offering a potential reopening of the strait while threatening severe retaliation—reflects Iran’s strategy of combining diplomatic flexibility with military deterrence. The Strait of Hormuz is vital to global energy security, and its closure has already sent shockwaves through oil markets. Iran’s latest offer may be seen as a gesture to ease tensions, but the lack of a US response and the stringent conditions attached
Shimanta Das 
