Araghchi: Strait of Hormuz Could Reopen in Two Days

Iran publicly mentioned a two-day deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz for the first time on November 1, 2026. For Serbia, which buys fuel and other energy at prices set on the world market, any news about that waterway is also news about prices. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Qatari mediators are discussing a plan under which the strait would reopen within two days, but only after the United States meets Tehran’s conditions.

We have reported earlier on tankers that struck mines, but this is the first time a specific time frame has come up in the talks. The statements were carried by Al Jazeera and the Indian news agency ANI.

What did Araghchi say about the deadline?

According to Araghchi, the deadline was shortened after consultations with Doha. Qatar’s first proposal allowed five days, and then, as Araghchi put it, a new agreement was reached to cut it down.

“The Qatari side proposed shortening the time frame for implementing the Iranian proposal to five days. We have arrived at a proposal that, at this stage, shortens that period to two days.”

The minister added that opening the strait on Iran’s terms would clear the way for continued negotiations with Washington on unresolved issues. Araghchi had earlier called Washington’s attempt to open a dialogue a positive step after Iran studied the American letter, and one of his aides has traveled to Doha for consultations with the mediators.

What is Tehran demanding from Washington?

The list of demands is long and covers both military and financial issues. Araghchi set it out this way:

“Our conditions include lifting the sanctions imposed after the Islamabad memorandum and reducing American forces in the region. We demand the restoration of the oil waivers and the release of all our frozen assets, including those held in Qatar.”

According to ANI, the Islamabad memorandum collapsed in July, and the waivers for Iranian oil exports were granted in June precisely on the basis of it. Iran also wants recognition of the shipping route through the strait that it discussed with Oman, with all other routes closed, and an end to the war on all fronts, in particular Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

The sources do not fully agree on what the opening depends on. In one place Al Jazeera says it hinges on meeting Iran’s conditions, in another on American cooperation, while ANI speaks of implementing Tehran’s conditions. The only firm ground is what Araghchi said word for word: the two-day deadline is tied to Iranian demands.

Rezaei: seven conditions and a threat of devastating strikes

Mohsen Rezaei, Iran’s top security official, also spoke the same day. He had earlier said there would be no negotiations and that the strait would stay closed until seven Iranian conditions are met. On X he repeated that the conditions must be fulfilled and that diplomacy becomes possible once they are:

“We have said many times: the seven conditions Iran has announced must be met. If the conditions are met, the path of diplomacy will be open.”

In the same post, Rezaei warned that Iran, in line with the supreme leader’s directive to the armed forces, will deliver devastating blows to any aggressor using new weaponry.

Vance’s letter and Trump’s response

The new talks were prompted by a letter that US Vice President JD Vance sent to Rezaei through Qatari mediators. According to media reports, the letter offers a framework for direct negotiations under Vance’s leadership, with Iran’s nuclear program also on the agenda. It contains no specific peace terms. Rezaei told Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB:

“Their tone has completely changed, which is a good sign showing that our people have won a victory.”

US President Donald Trump said at a Halloween event on October 31 that negotiations are going well and that Iran wants a deal, but that Tehran is not very reliable. “There are talks, they want to talk, they talk all the time,” Trump said. He also warned that the US could hit Iran’s remaining nuclear facilities in ten minutes.

Asked by a reporter whether he had ordered new strikes, Trump replied that it was a stupid question, then added: “Let’s say I did, would I tell you? I can’t tell you.”