Iran keeps Hormuz shut as talks drag on

Strait remains closed

Iran says the Strait of Hormuz will stay closed until the United States meets its conditions. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the era of wasting time and dictating unilateral demands was over, adding that Iran would both fight and negotiate. About one-fifth of global oil and gas normally passes through the waterway in peacetime.

The seven-day proposal

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier offered to reopen the strait and resume nuclear talks within seven days if Washington lifts its naval blockade of Iranian ports, waives sanctions on Iranian oil sales and observes a ceasefire that includes Lebanon. President Donald Trump rejected the plan. On Thursday, Araghchi said Tehran was still reviewing the latest US response and could reply within days.

Risks at sea

Reports said a commercial tanker was hit by an unknown projectile near the strait, raising fears of fresh escalation. A regional official told Reuters that Iran has warned neighbouring states that any new oil export routes would be treated as hostile.

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Diplomacy continues

Indirect talks were held in New York in September, with special envoy Steve Witkoff saying mediators shuttled between delegations. Those efforts followed the collapse of a June memorandum of understanding. Washington focuses on nuclear issues, while Tehran says reopening Hormuz is its main goal. Iran's currency has also hit a record low under the blockade. Araghchi warned that Iran is more prepared than before if Washington returns to military action. Trump has said Iran will face economic consequences if attacks on commercial shipping continue.