Iran says US response to its proposal to reopen Hormuz was 'insufficient'

Iran has characterized the latest diplomatic response from the United States regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as inadequate, Iranian state media reported on Sunday. The statement comes amid ongoing international efforts to resolve maritime blockades and broader hostilities in the region.

Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated that Washington's reply to Tehran's seven proposed terms fell short of what was required. Iranian officials had introduced the terms during the United Nations General Assembly, offering a timeline under which the vital shipping lane could be cleared for standard commercial transit within seven days should all terms be satisfied.

American officials transmitted their position back to Iran through Qatari intermediaries. Rezaei noted that while the United States had signaled agreement with certain terms, several key matters remained ambiguous. He asserted that Iran would not draft another reply to the current communication, emphasizing that the strait would stay closed and discussions would remain frozen until Washington clarifies its stance and completely satisfies Tehran's stipulations.

The White House did not provide an immediate comment on the Iranian statements, according to Reuters.

The exchange forms part of a wider push involving Qatar and other international intermediaries trying to revive a collapsed ceasefire across the Gulf. In late September, Tehran confirmed it had obtained a response from the United States regarding an initiative to halt fighting, coming shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump had publicly stated he rejected the terms.

The Strait of Hormuz represents a crucial chokepoint for international trade, having carried a fifth of global petroleum supplies and liquefied natural gas before regional warfare halted traffic. Conflict in the area escalated in late February following military strikes launched against Iranian targets by the United States and Israel. Diplomatic channels through third-party mediators continue to seek a pathway to de-escalation, though key positions on transit and ceasefire arrangements remain unresolved.