Iran, US explore phased Hormuz-for-blockade deal in New York – Reuters
US and Iranian negotiators in New York are discussing a phased arrangement that could see Tehran reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for Washington lifting its economic blockade, Reuters reported Thursday, citing sources close to the talks.
Two Iranian sources, two regional officials and two Western diplomatic sources told Reuters that the main obstacle was sequencing, with neither side willing to give up its principal leverage first.
A senior Iranian official said one possible approach would be to break the agreement into stages, beginning with relief from the US blockade and the reopening of Hormuz. Tehran could also gain access to some frozen assets under such an arrangement.
“One way forward would be to solve the crisis in stages. The first would be to end the blockade and reopen Hormuz,” the official said on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
The sources said negotiators were also focused on making any concessions durable after an earlier US-Iran understanding collapsed in July.
A senior European official told Reuters that Tehran “have a very long list of demands.”
The Iranian official said Tehran was continuing diplomacy while preparing for the possibility of renewed fighting with Washington.
“Our fingers are on the trigger,” the official said. “The Americans know what they need to do but, because of their excessive demands, the chances of diplomacy resolving this are extremely low.”
Regional sources said Iran was prepared to remove its demand for transit fees through the Strait of Hormuz from the main agreement and instead include it in a side attachment, reflecting Tehran’s greater urgency to secure relief from the US blockade.
Persian Gulf states have rejected the proposed transit fees, according to the sources. Any Iranian move to defer the issue would be temporary rather than a formal abandonment of its position.
One source said Tehran’s priority was maintaining what it regards as administrative control over the waterway rather than immediately collecting tolls.
“Iran may be willing to defer the toll issue, but they are not going to give up administrative control of the strait,” the source said.
Regional sources also told Reuters that Persian Gulf leaders, during talks with US President Donald Trump in New York, sought clarity on Washington’s broader strategy and whether the United States could resume military action if Iran refused to return to negotiations.
They also conveyed opposition to Iranian control over Hormuz and called for freedom of navigation to be restored, while pressing for de-escalation and a political settlement.
A Western official familiar with the negotiations said reopening Hormuz remained the central issue.
“It is all about opening the Strait of Hormuz. We’re all under pressure domestically and the Iranians know that,” the official said.