Investing.com– Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days if Washington meets its conditions, providing a breakthrough in negotiations to end the war, with both sides warning that renewed fighting could spread to the region.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Qatari mediators helped shorten Tehran’s proposed seven-day deadline for reopening. Under the revised sequence, the United States would take action on the first day and shipments would resume on the second.
Meanwhile, Iranian negotiators reportedly held a third straight day of talks with Qatari mediators on Sunday to advance a deal to end the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, according to a Reuters News report.
President Donald Trump said negotiations were “going well” and that Iran wanted a deal, while adding that Washington was in no rush. He also renewed threats against Iranian nuclear facilities, including the site known as Pickaxe Mountain.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump had not yet decided whether he would launch further strikes and that a diplomatic settlement remained possible. An Iranian delegation was in Doha for consultations with mediators, with no direct negotiations between the United States and Iran planned.
Tehran’s demands include sanctions relief, release of frozen funds, reinstatement of oil exemptions and recognition of a designated maritime route with Oman. Iran also wants a reduction in the American military presence and an end to attacks against Lebanon.
Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei said a letter from Vice President JD Vance signaled a more conciliatory tone from the United States, but insisted Tehran would not reopen Hormuz until its conditions were met.
The diplomatic opening was accompanied by an escalation of military warnings. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ordered commanders to prepare an immediate response to any attack without geographic restrictions, and Iranian officials threatened to strike more targets.
Transport risks remain acute. The Iranian navy said an oil tanker caught fire after hitting mines east of Hormuz, without identifying the vessel or reporting the condition of the crew. US Central Command said the blockade of Iranian ports had redirected 144 commercial ships.
Disruptions to waterways continue to threaten global energy supplies. Germany’s gas storage industry warned that reserves stood at 61.35% ahead of winter, below the country’s 80% target, partly reflecting war-related energy costs.
The coming days could test whether the proposed shipping deal can move forward before Washington and Tehran resolve their differences.
Gn world
