Details of Iran's Seven-Day Strait of Hormuz Reopening Proposal and US Rejection

The Strait of Hormuz has remained closed to commercial shipping since the outbreak of war in February 2026. This waterway carries a portion of the world's oil and gas supply. It has been a point of contention during the seven-month stalemate between the United States and Iran. In June 2026, the United States and Iran signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a ceasefire and reopen the waterway. That agreement collapsed after both sides resumed military strikes.

Iran proposed an accelerated version of the June 2026 MOU. The original agreement set a 60-day timeline for nuclear negotiations. Iran presented the new plan to US envoy Steve Witkoff on September 21, 2026. The proposal requires the United States to lift asset freezes, permit oil exports, and order Israel to end its attacks on Hezbollah. The plan includes a shipping route designated by Iran and Oman. President Donald Trump rejected the deal. He asserted that the United States already maintains control of the waterway.

This vital waterway, which typically carries a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply, has seen traffic drop to as few as nine vessels on certain days. Iran presented a new, concrete seven-day plan to US envoy Steve Witkoff on September 21, 2026, to end the conflict and restore maritime passage. The proposal, which secured endorsement from China and involved Oman, includes a new route for the strait and a timeline to resume negotiations on Iran’s civil nuclear program. While the stalemate between the two nations has persisted for nearly seven months, regional tensions remain high as Houthi rebels continue to seize territory and launch missiles toward Saudi Arabia.

1. Iran announced a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days. This action would restore commercial shipping stalled since February 2026. The BBC reported that the strait carries about 20 percent of the global oil and gas supply.

2. Iranian diplomats presented the plan to US envoy Steve Witkoff between September 21 and September 27, 2026. Oman facilitated the meeting, and China endorsed the proposal. The participants sought regional backing for the plan through this coordination.

3. The proposal outlines a plan to end the war. It initiates negotiations on the civil nuclear program in Iran. This includes a protocol for United Nations (UN) nuclear inspectors. The plan links these issues to address security concerns that fueled the conflict.

4. The proposal requires the US to lift asset freezes, permit oil exports, and direct Israel to end attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran describes these economic and security concessions as necessary for regional stability.

1. President Donald Trump rejected the proposal on Saturday. He stated that the US already maintains total control of the Strait of Hormuz. "I'm rejecting their deal," Trump said on Saturday.

2. The June 2026 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) serves as the basis for this proposal. Both sides resumed military strikes, which caused the previous agreement to collapse. Past events raise questions about the viability of the seven-day timeline. These events also question the commitment of both parties to a lasting agreement.

3. Houthi rebels in Yemen intensified attacks on Saudi oil exports. These forces also seized the port of Mokha. This regional instability affects security near the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts report that local actors operate independently of US-Iran agreements.

4. Shipping data shows an average of 18 transits per day through the strait. Some days record as few as nine vessels. The waterway remains active despite the official closure. This activity remains a factor in US government assessments regarding the urgency of a new deal.