US-Iran tensions have recently taken a subtle diplomatic turn. Senior Iranian officials have revealed that Tehran is willing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days and resume bilateral talks, provided the United States takes the first substantive steps to ease military pressure. This proposal, aimed at permanently ending hostilities, was officially conveyed to the US through intermediaries in mid-September.

Under Tehran's proposal, the US must first halt military operations related to the Strait of Hormuz and lift its blockade on Iranian ports. Once these preliminary measures are implemented, Iran will swiftly reopen this critical global energy artery. In response to the news, international oil prices dropped, underscoring the strait's pivotal role in the global energy supply chain and financial markets.

Tehran is intensifying its diplomatic efforts at this juncture, largely driven by mounting pressure on its oil exports. US restrictions on Iranian ports continue to squeeze its crude export capacity, while the prolonged standoff's disruption to strait traffic has further exacerbated the country's economic burden. Seeking a breakthrough, Iran plans to leverage the United Nations General Assembly to hold intensive consultations with intermediary nations. Although Iranian officials have ruled out the possibility of a direct meeting between the two presidents during the UNGA, they emphasized that room for a deal still exists, provided the US demonstrates sufficient seriousness and commitment.

Reportedly, this latest diplomatic initiative has been approved by Iran's Supreme Leader and the Supreme National Security Council. Previously, Tehran had presented Washington with seven conditions, including the unfreezing of assets. It remains unclear whether the current seven-day plan to reopen the strait implies that Iran has made concessions on its core demands, a factor that will serve as a key litmus test for the sincerity of subsequent negotiations.

As the diplomatic window opens, the military countdown continues unabated. Iran's Supreme National Security Council previously set a 45-day deadline, warning that if the US fails to lift the port blockade within this period, Tehran reserves the right to launch further strikes against US forces. With this deadline rapidly approaching, market nerves remain on edge.

Global financial markets are now closely monitoring the situation's trajectory, as the navigability of the Strait of Hormuz directly impacts international oil prices and inflation expectations. The focal point of the current standoff has shifted to Washington, with markets observing whether the US will take the first step to lift the blockade and de-escalate military pressure.