Iran Sets Conditions for Reopening Strait of Hormuz as Trump Signals Hope for Peace Deal

Iran has urged the United States to accept its conditions for reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, as President Donald Trump signalled what he described as positive progress towards ending the eight-month war between the two countries.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted on Tuesday that the conflict could not be resolved through military action or increased economic sanctions, calling on Washington to pursue diplomacy and address Tehran’s demands.

“The conflict with Iran will not be resolved through military means, nor by intensifying sanctions,” Araghchi told Iran’s IRNA news agency.

“The only solution is to adopt a language of respect, engage in diplomacy, and address Iran’s demands and conditions — which were outlined in the two-day proposal and remain on the table,” he added.

Tehran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz within two days if Washington agrees to a series of conditions. These include ending the war on all fronts, unfreezing Iranian assets, lifting oil sanctions and terminating the US counter-blockade of Iranian ports.

The waterway, which Iran has blockaded since the conflict began, is a major international shipping route for global oil supplies, making its reopening a significant issue in efforts to ease tensions.

Trump, meanwhile, expressed optimism about diplomatic efforts following a meeting with Qatar’s prime minister at the White House on Monday.

In a social media post, the US president said there was positive momentum towards ending the conflict, while insisting that Washington would continue protecting its national interests.

Trump also maintained that the United States remained prepared for further military action but described additional strikes as unlikely, noting that key Gulf allies preferred the current situation to further escalation.

Diplomatic efforts involving Qatar and Pakistan are reportedly underway to secure an agreement between Washington and Tehran. The war began in late February following US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

However, Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, dismissed suggestions of progress in negotiations and called on Washington to accept Tehran’s demands.

“The war on Iran has already wrecked the US government. But Washington flails like a desperate gambler. FOLD YOUR HAND. STOP manufacturing FAKE NEWS about imaginary talks,” Rezaei wrote on X.

His remarks highlight the contrasting positions emerging from both sides, with Trump expressing optimism about diplomatic progress while Iranian officials insist that any agreement must address Tehran’s conditions.

The future of the Strait of Hormuz remains central to the negotiations, as its continued closure threatens international shipping and energy supplies.