Iran offers to reopen Strait of Hormuz within 7 days if US lifts sanctions

Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume nuclear talks within seven days if the United States lifts its naval blockade, waives oil sanctions, and observes a ceasefire including Lebanon, according to a proposal detailed Thursday at the UN General Assembly. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented the plan privately in New York, with the Quincy Institute's Trita Parsi saying it aims to ease pressure on Tehran and aid President Trump before November's midterms. The deal resembles a June agreement that collapsed after Iran resumed shipping attacks, and Saudi Arabia remains skeptical. The proposal's scope on Yemen's Houthi conflict is unclear, and Iran faces internal divisions between hard-liners favoring escalation and moderates pursuing diplomacy. Qatar is mediating, with indirect Iran-U.S. talks held this week at the UN.