DUBAI, April 27: Iran has reportedly offered to end its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States lifting its own blockade and ending the ongoing war, according to two regional officials involved in mediation efforts.
The proposal, passed to Washington through Pakistan, suggests that discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme would be deferred to a later phase of negotiations.
The offer is unlikely to be accepted by US President Donald Trump, who has insisted that any agreement must address Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a core condition for peace.
The US and Israel went to war with Iran on February 28, and although a fragile ceasefire is currently in place, major disagreements remain unresolved. At the centre of the standoff is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint through which around one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas passes.
Iran’s partial closure of the strait has significantly disrupted global energy flows. The US blockade aims to prevent Iran from exporting oil, cutting off a key source of revenue. However, this has also intensified pressure on global markets, pushing Brent crude prices to around $108 per barrel—nearly 50% higher than pre-war levels.
The disruption has contributed to rising global costs for fuel, food, and fertiliser, while also straining US domestic politics ahead of upcoming elections due to increased energy prices.
Iran’s proposal comes amid active diplomatic engagement.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg, where both sides discussed the conflict. Russia reaffirmed support for Iran and expressed willingness to help mediate peace efforts.
Parallel diplomacy has also involved Pakistan, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, with Pakistan attempting to bridge gaps between Tehran and Washington. Oman, which shares control of the Strait of Hormuz, may also play a role in any future mechanism to manage maritime traffic, including possible toll systems, though no agreement has been confirmed.
US President Trump said Iran had sent a “much better” proposal but reiterated that Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons. The US position remains focused on dismantling Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles, which Washington fears could be used for weaponisation, while Iran maintains its programme is peaceful.
The war has caused heavy casualties across the region, with thousands killed in Iran and Lebanon and additional deaths in Israel, Gulf states, and among military and peacekeeping forces.
Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has also continued alongside the broader conflict, despite a temporary extension of the ceasefire.
While mediation efforts continue, significant gaps remain between the parties, particularly over sanctions relief, nuclear restrictions, and control of strategic maritime routes.
The situation around the Strait of Hormuz remains a central pressure point in both diplomatic negotiations and global energy security. (AP)
