NEW YORK: US and Iranian negotiators are exploring a phased arrangement that would link the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to an easing of Washington’s blockade of Iran, according to people familiar with the talks.
The discussions are aimed at finding a sequenced path out of the conflict rather than requiring either side to give up its principal leverage at the outset. Iran has used restrictions at Hormuz as leverage, while Washington’s blockade has put pressure on the Iranian economy.
No agreement has been announced, and the order in which each side would take steps remains a central obstacle.
Reuters reported on September 24 that two Iranian sources, two regional officials and two Western diplomatic sources described the phased approach. Bloomberg reported on September 25 that negotiators were discussing a similar sequence, with Qatari officials mediating.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the negotiations because of its importance to global oil and gas trade. Months of disruption have forced producers, traders and shipping companies to adjust routes and operating practices, adding costs and uncertainty to energy markets.
The latest discussions therefore represent a potentially important diplomatic opening, but not a settlement. The reported proposal still depends on the two sides agreeing on sequencing, implementation and guarantees.
For Pakistan, developments around Hormuz remain particularly significant because the country depends on imported energy and Gulf maritime routes. Any sustained reopening could ease some of the shipping and supply risks created by the conflict, although the outcome of the negotiations remains uncertain.