Iran offers to open Strait of Hormuz in seven days

Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume talks on its nuclear program in seven days if the United States lifts its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waives sanctions on Iranian oil sales and observes a ceasefire that would include Lebanon.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi detailed the proposal to reporters outside the U.N. Security Council on Friday, saying it would also restart stalled talks with the US on Iran's nuclear program.

"The seven-day timeline will start as soon as the United States accepts this plan," he said.

Araghchi said initial steps would take about four to five days to complete and the strait would be open on the sixth day.

"And on day seven, the talks with the US will be started for the final deal on mutually agreed subjects," he said, referring to the nuclear program.

The proposal, conveyed to the US by mediators and in public by Araghchi strongly resembles the so-called Memorandum of Understanding reached in June, but with an accelerated timetable.

The earlier agreement, which called for a 60-day interim period, quickly collapsed as Iran resumed attacks on shipping in the strait.

Iran's disruption of the strait, through which a fifth of the world's traded oil and gas transited before the war, has emerged as its main point of leverage.

The effects have been felt far beyond the Middle East.

The White House said only that US officials are having positive and constructive conversations with mediators on the Iran war.

In response to questions from The Associated Press, it said the US is facilitating significant oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz.

There was no immediate comment from Gulf Arab nations, although a person familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations, told The Associated Press that Saudi Arabia was skeptical of the latest push for a deal.