Tehran (AFP) - Tehran expressed its readiness on Monday to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz within two days instead of seven days as stipulated in its initial plan, but with conditions, at a time when the risk of renewed war between Iran and the United States is increasing.

Published on: 02/11/2026 - 12:47 Last updated: 02/11/2026 - 14:18

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei said during a press conference in Tehran on Monday that “the possibility of implementing this plan within two days is further evidence of Iran’s good faith.”

Baghaei added, "We have confirmed that it is possible to restore security to the Strait of Hormuz and resume negotiations within a short period if Iran's demands are met."

He pointed out that the exchange of messages with the United States is still ongoing through intermediaries, and that “the whole matter” depends on the American side’s acceptance of Iranian demands, adding, “Only then can we discuss the subsequent stages.”

Since the outbreak of war in the Middle East on February 28, following US-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic that resulted in the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a number of senior leaders, Tehran has announced the imposition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz, which is a vital corridor for energy shipments.

Tehran regularly targets ships that attempt to cross the strait without obtaining permission, while the United States, in response, imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

In September, Iran presented, via Qatar, a plan to reopen the shipping lane within seven days, but US President Donald Trump rejected it, while keeping the door open to continuing indirect negotiations.

To reopen the Strait, Tehran requires a ceasefire on all fronts in the region, the release of its frozen assets abroad, the lifting of sanctions on its oil sector, and an end to the US naval blockade of its ports.

These points were contained in an Iranian-American memorandum of understanding concluded in June, after a ceasefire in April allowed an end to forty days of intense bombing.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi added other demands on Sunday during an interview with Al Jazeera, stressing that Washington must also accept the new route agreed upon between Iran and Oman to cross the Strait of Hormuz.

He added that the United States must also lift the sanctions imposed in recent months and reduce the number of American forces in the region.

"Instant" response

The exchange of strikes resumed during the summer, and Iran responded by targeting Washington's allies again in the region, from the Gulf to Jordan.

Despite the calm of military actions since September, the United States and Israel have escalated their threats in recent days, in light of important electoral elections in both countries.

The US President said on Saturday that he still has to "deal with" one or two sites, one of which is Mount Kulang, located in Isfahan Province, specifically near the Natanz uranium enrichment site.

The Iranian authorities deny seeking to possess a nuclear weapon, and affirm their right to the civilian use of nuclear energy.

According to the American website Axios, Trump discussed by telephone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the possibility of escalating military operations and the appropriate timing for that.

The website quoted American and Israeli sources as saying that the two sides discussed the status of negotiations with the Islamic Republic.

According to the sources, Netanyahu urged the US President to launch strikes on Iran immediately after the midterm elections, while Trump expressed his desire to provide the opportunity for negotiations to continue on track.

Baghaei warned Monday that “any aggressive action against Iran, and any military attack on it by any means, will be met with a strong, immediate and comprehensive response from our side,” after similar warnings from the Supreme Leader and the army.

On the other hand, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed on Monday, during a meeting in Beijing with Deputy Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, Ali Bagheri Kani, that “China supports Iran in protecting its sovereignty and security,” calling for a political solution instead of returning to armed conflict.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that Beijing will send its envoy to the Middle East this month to Iran, the Sultanate of Oman and Saudi Arabia, as part of “shuttle diplomatic visits aimed at promoting peace talks and easing tensions.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not announce in advance Bagheri Kani's visit to Beijing.

In the same context, the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a joint statement on Monday with China on the occasion of the Omani Sultan’s visit to Beijing.

The statement stressed that the two sides stressed "adherence to resolving differences through political and diplomatic means, and encouraging the United States and Iran to adhere to the peaceful option, achieve a ceasefire, prevent war in a comprehensive way, and return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding."

The statement stressed the necessity of "negotiating as soon as possible, until a comprehensive agreement is reached that includes the nuclear file... and the restoration of normal and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."

© 2026 AFP

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