Iran Offers Strait of Hormuz Reopening in Indirect US Talks; Washington Rejects Proposal

Iran proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz during indirect negotiations with the United States on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2026, but US negotiators rejected the offer, saying Tehran does not control the waterway and questioning its authority to make such a demand. The talks were held in separate rooms in New York, with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in one and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in another, relayed by Qatari mediators. Iran demanded a US response within one week to conditions including lifting the US naval blockade, returning frozen Iranian assets, and ending military action against the "Axis of Resistance." Brent crude futures rose $3.83, or 3.86%, to settle at $103.08 a barrel. West Texas Intermediate gained $1.64, or 1.81%, to close at $92.16. It was the first round of US-Iran talks since mid-June.