Iran’s big offer: Strait of Hormuz could reopen within 48 hours if US demands are met, hints at talks too

November 3, 2026

Tehran/Washington: Iran has indicated that if the US accepts its demands, the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened within the next 48 hours and diplomatic talks between the two countries could resume. Meanwhile, Washington and Tehran continue to warn each other about the potential for escalating military tensions.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Monday that Iran, as a gesture of goodwill, has reduced the deadline for implementing the seven-day plan proposed in September to two days.

He said, “We have announced that if Iran’s demands are met, there is a possibility of restoring security in the Strait of Hormuz and resuming the negotiation process in a short time.” He clarified that the decision regarding the next steps now rests with the US side.

President Pezeshkian said – Iran wants a solution through dialogue

In line with the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s statement, President Masoud Pezeshkian also said on Monday that his government is committed to resolving challenges through dialogue. He explained that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has granted the government certain special powers to seek a diplomatic solution.

Pezeshkian said that no one benefits from war, but Iran’s enemies will not be able to force the country to surrender.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated that the ongoing negotiations, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, have intensified significantly. This includes frequent visits by delegations, phone conversations, and exchanges of messages.

Araghchi said that Iran is prepared for both diplomacy and self-defense. He warned that any further attempts by Washington to escalate military tensions would result in a stronger and more severe response from the US.

Iran reports positive signals after receiving JD Vance’s letter

Diplomatic activity between Iran and the US has intensified at a time when Washington is also receiving varying signals.

According to reports, Iran received a letter from US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday. This letter, sent at the direction of President Donald Trump, urged the resumption of peace talks. Iran described the letter’s shift in US stance as a “good sign.”

However, US President Donald Trump on Sunday once again threatened to launch military action against Iran at some point in the future. During an election rally in Iowa, he said that the US may eventually have to “smash the hammer” against Iran.

According to reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Trump to attack Iran immediately after the midterm elections during a phone conversation on Saturday. According to a report by the US media outlet Axios, Trump is in favor of continuing negotiations, which has increased Netanyahu’s concerns.

On Monday, Trump also stated that Tehran wants to reach an agreement with the US and that a deal could be reached between the two countries. He said, “They want to reach an agreement, and it can happen.”

Military Training for Over 30 Million Iranians

Amid diplomatic efforts, Iran has also accelerated its military preparations. A senior Iranian military commander said on Monday that over 30 million Iranian citizens are undergoing basic military training to defend the country if needed.

This military mobilization follows a directive from Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, on Saturday, in which he told senior military commanders that any threat from enemies, regardless of its nature or scale, must be responded to immediately and effectively. He also stated that retaliation should have no geographical boundaries.

On the other hand, according to a Wall Street Journal report, senior US military officials briefed President Trump on Thursday on potential military options regarding Iran. The report also stated that the US has urged several Gulf countries to prepare for a limited but intense military operation against Iran after the midterm elections.

Tensions rise in the Strait of Hormuz, claims of oil tankers on fire

Amid the military preparations, tensions are also rapidly rising in the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian Navy claimed on Monday that an oil tanker struck a landmine after entering a restricted area, causing it to catch fire. The incident occurred in the eastern part of the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Iranian Navy, the ship had also shut down its navigation systems.

Separately, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy claimed that 11 oil tankers have caught fire or sunk in the Strait in the past nine days.

This development comes after US Central Command Chief Brad Cooper’s visit to the Strait of Hormuz on October 25.

At present, while Iran is indicating it will open the Strait of Hormuz and initiate talks within 48 hours, military preparations and warnings from both countries are continuously increasing tensions in the region.