Iran has ramped up its regional rhetoric, issuing threats to strike infrastructure across the Middle East while it awaits a definitive response from Washington regarding a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Although US President Donald Trump has already signaled rejection of the plan, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated on Monday that he anticipated a formal reply from American officials shortly.
The threat of escalation comes as the conflict continues to center on the strategic shipping lane, which accounted for a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments prior to the outbreak of hostilities in late February. Since the conflict began with US-Israeli strikes, Iran has enforced a blockade on commercial vessels, while the US military maintains a counter-blockade of Iranian ports to stifle the nation’s oil exports. While active fighting has decreased in recent weeks, Iran continues to target ships within the strait.
Speaking via state television on Tuesday, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s parliament speaker and chief negotiator, warned that no regional infrastructure would be secure if his country’s own security remains unassured. He stated, “In a region where we cannot sell oil, no one else will sell oil either; or if our security is not guaranteed, no infrastructure will remain safe.”
Araghchi, who was in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, noted that diplomatic discussions are being facilitated by Qatari mediators. He explained that these intermediaries have presented various ideas which have been discussed and will be relayed once more to the American side before a final response is communicated to Tehran. He expressed optimism that the process could conclude by Wednesday.
The foreign minister emphasized that current negotiations are focused exclusively on the Strait of Hormuz. He maintained that any potential reopening of the vital maritime passage remains strictly contingent upon the fulfillment of specific conditions that Iran has already formally communicated to the other side.
