Iran officially presented its conditions for ending the war to the United States on the 22nd. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed that Iran has conveyed these conditions to the U.S. through Qatari mediators in New York. The terms include a total cessation of military actions on all fronts, an end to what Tehran describes as U.S. acts of aggression, the termination of maritime blockades and economic sanctions, and the unfreezing of Iranian assets.
According to Iran International, this represents the clearest official description to date of the conditions proposed by Iran following a full day of indirect contact between the two sides during the UN General Assembly. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff previously revealed that mediators shuttled between the American and Iranian delegations, concluding the discussions.
The conditions outlined by Baghaei also highlight why the Strait of Hormuz has become the core of these negotiations. Tehran has linked the easing of transit restrictions in the strait to U.S. actions regarding military pressure and blockades, while Western and regional governments are increasingly focusing on restoring normal navigation through the waterway. Senior Iranian officials stated that Tehran could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if Washington relieves military pressure and lifts the blockade on Iranian ports.
European diplomacy in New York is similarly focused on the same issue. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas stated that she discussed ending the war and fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. She advocated that navigation should be free and unimpeded, and that no transit fees or charges should be levied post-war.
French President Emmanuel Macron also noted that reopening the Strait of Hormuz was the primary goal of his talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, adding that France is willing to actively assist in maintaining passage through the strait without engaging in direct conflict with Iran.
However, these diplomatic efforts have yet to resolve the core differences regarding Iran's demands. A U.S. source disclosed that Washington has rejected Iran's demand to lift the blockade, leaving major obstacles to reaching an agreement.
Overall, reports indicate that this round of diplomatic consultations has established a clearer negotiation framework than in the past. While Iran has publicly listed its conditions and the U.S. has confirmed ongoing indirect talks, the issues of the maritime blockade and transit through the Strait of Hormuz remain at the center of the divide between the two sides.
