Iran Says It Has Cut Proposed Hormuz Reopening Timeline to Two Days
Iran said it has shortened its proposed timeline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, from five days to two. The announcement was made in a video posted by AsiaOne News.
The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow sea passage between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. It was open until 28 February 2026, and the question of when it might reopen has since become entangled with a wider dispute between Iran and the United States.
Iran has said the reopening depends on the United States meeting Iran's conditions. IRNA, Iran's state news agency, reported that position in late September. Iran has also said it will not reopen the strait until the terms of a memorandum of understanding, a written statement of agreed steps short of a full treaty, are carried out. Those terms include lifting the US blockade, a naval restriction on shipping. IRNA reported that position in August.
Iran also wants its frozen money and assets returned as part of the reopening. Iran has described those funds as illegally frozen.
Diplomacy has moved in stages. On 24 September, Reuters reported that the two countries were discussing a phased deal to reopen the strait and end the US blockade. Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, said the initial steps of the reopening proposal would take about four to five days to complete. AP carried those remarks.
Days later, Araghchi outlined a seven-day plan under which the strait would reopen on the sixth day and negotiations would begin on the seventh. On 18 October, Reuters reported that Iran had urged the United States to accept its proposal.
The timeline has continued to shift. Iran's latest stated figure, as reported on 1 November, is two days rather than five.
Regional efforts have also been affected. Oman postponed a regional meeting on the Strait of Hormuz in mid-September, according to IRNA. Earlier in the year, in April, Araghchi had said navigation through the strait would be completely open for the remaining duration of the ceasefire.
