Iran Proposes Seven-Day Plan to Reopen Strait of Hormuz and Start Nuclear Talks doomsday clock

Iran has proposed a seven-day plan to the United States that would end hostilities, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and lead to nuclear talks, while Iranian officials warn they could expand the conflict to the Indian Ocean if attacked again and insist on no nuclear concessions amid the doomsday clock pressures facing global diplomacy.

Iran’s Seven-Day Proposal to End the War

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi presented the seven-day plan at the UN General Assembly, under which all hostile actions including in Lebanon would cease, the US would release at least $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets, lift oil sanctions and end its naval blockade, after which the Strait of Hormuz would reopen and comprehensive nuclear negotiations would begin immediately. [2] The proposal reflects commitments set in a memorandum of understanding that the United States and Iran reached in June but which soon collapsed. [2] Tehran stands ready to implement the plan as soon as Washington agrees. [2] Under the terms, hostilities would end on all fronts within seven days, the United States would release frozen Iranian assets estimated at least $12 billion, lift oil sanctions and end the naval blockade, and on the final day the Strait of Hormuz would reopen. [2] After the seven days, comprehensive negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program would start immediately. [2] Iranian officials noted the new timeline moves much faster than the previous 60-day framework for reaching nuclear talks. [2] The plan arrives as both sides seek to avoid further escalation before US congressional elections. [2]

Tehran’s Warning of Wider Conflict

A senior Iranian official stated that Tehran will make no nuclear concessions, will not ship highly enriched uranium abroad and the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the US meets all of Iran’s conditions. [5] Military adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, General Yahya Rahim Safavi, warned that if the US or Israel attack Iranian centers or national interests again, the war could expand from the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea to the Indian Ocean or beyond, with a possible new front at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait where Houthi allies have gained control. [1] The adviser said that once the war had already spread from the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea through the Houthis, any renewed attack could push the front further to the Indian Ocean or beyond. [1] He added that renewed hostilities could center on the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, where Houthi rebels have secured control of the western Yemeni coast in recent weeks. [1] The Strait of Hormuz has served as Iran’s main pressure point since it was blocked after the war began on February 28, halting nearly all oil exports. [1]

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi presents seven-day plan at UN General Assembly. — Source: gdelt

No Nuclear Concessions from Iran

Iran will show no flexibility over its nuclear program even if the United States accepts its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. [5] The senior Iranian official said the waterway would stay closed until Washington meets all of Iran’s conditions. [5] Tehran has offered to reopen the strait only after the United States lifts its blockade on Iranian ports, releases frozen funds and waives oil sanctions. [5] Iran would give no concessions on its rights, including enriching uranium or shipping its highly enriched uranium out of the country. [5] The International Atomic Energy Agency estimated that Iran had 440.9 kg of uranium enriched to 60 percent when Israel and the United States attacked Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025. [5] Iranian authorities have indicated they could agree to dilute the most highly enriched uranium, yet Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has directed that the country’s highly enriched uranium should not be sent abroad. [5]

Diplomatic Activity at the United Nations

Indirect talks between Iranian and US representatives occurred this week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly with no reported breakthroughs, while President Trump has threatened destruction if Iran does not agree to a deal and both leaders delivered hostile speeches at the UN. [2] Pakistan, acting as a mediator, told the UN that the Straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab must remain open. [3] Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the UN General Assembly that amid the roar of missiles, drones and guns the voice for diplomacy must echo even louder and stronger. [3] US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a three-hour meeting between American and Iranian officials mediated by Qatar produced no breakthrough. [2] President Trump has repeatedly stated his main goal is to ensure the Islamic Republic does not possess a nuclear weapon and will achieve that either through diplomacy or further strikes. [2] Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told world leaders that his country will not be intimidated. [2]

US Pressure on China Over Iran Support

The US received assurances from China that Beijing is not providing direct or indirect support to Iran in the conflict. [4] President Trump discussed the Iran war with Chinese President Xi Jinping during talks in Washington. [4] US Ambassador to China David Perdue said Trump made clear that any Chinese support for Iran was totally unacceptable. [4] Washington told Beijing that any direct or indirect help for Iran, whether intelligence, parts or military equipment, would not be accepted. [4] Perdue later stated that Washington had received assurances from Beijing that it is not providing such assistance. [4] The Iran war formed one of the issues surrounding Xi’s visit to Washington alongside the broader US-China relationship. [4]

Current State of the US-Iran Conflict

The war between the two countries began in February 2026 after American and Israeli attacks on Iran, followed by repeated strikes from both sides. [2] The conflict remains stalled with occasional exchanges of attacks and negotiations at a standstill. [1] Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen have launched missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia while gaining advances along the western Yemeni coast. [5] The Strait of Hormuz has become the central bargaining chip, with Iran seeking relief from the US blockade that is choking its economy and Washington seeking free passage for ships on the global oil supply route now blocked by Tehran. [5] Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian hopes a deal with Washington can be reached before the US midterm elections on November 3. [5]

What to watch next: Indirect talks may continue on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly while Iran maintains the Strait of Hormuz remains closed until all its conditions are met and the United States watches for any sign of Chinese support for Tehran.