Iranian and Qatari negotiators are discussing a proposal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days of a potential agreement with Washington. But disagreements over sanctions, the US blockade and the terms of a wider settlement remain major obstacles.
A new diplomatic effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is gaining momentum as Iranian negotiators and Qatari mediators continue discussions in Doha, with a proposal offering the possibility of restoring shipping through the strategic waterway within 48 hours of a potential agreement with the United States.
The talks entered their third consecutive day on Sunday, November 1, as regional governments attempt to prevent a renewed escalation in the eight-month US-Israeli war against Iran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said consultations with Qatari mediators were continuing and described Tehran as prepared for both diplomacy and defence. He also confirmed that discussions over a two-day proposal were ongoing, but stressed that no final conclusion had been reached.
According to Al Jazeera, the proposal under discussion would allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen within two days if Washington meets Tehran’s conditions.
The potential timeline is significant. However, it remains a proposal rather than an agreed timetable, and there is no confirmation that commercial shipping will resume within 48 hours.
What is Iran demanding from Washington?
The central obstacle remains the conditions each side wants the other to meet before a broader settlement can move forward.
Iran has been pushing a seven-day framework that includes demands for Washington to lift its blockade of Iranian ports, unfreeze Iranian assets and accept an Iranian-backed arrangement for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran has argued that reopening the waterway must be part of a wider agreement addressing the economic pressure imposed on the country.
Qatar has also presented a separate seven-day confidence-building proposal. Under that framework, the United States and Iran would take gradual steps to rebuild trust before moving toward broader negotiations.
However, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran did not consider Qatar’s initial proposal satisfactory.
The competing plans illustrate how far apart the two sides remain, despite the renewed diplomatic activity.
Why the Strait of Hormuz matters to the entire world
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important maritime energy corridors on the planet.
It connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Indian Ocean, providing a crucial route for oil and liquefied natural gas exports from major energy-producing countries.
Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the strait can affect global energy supplies, push up oil prices and increase costs for businesses and consumers.
The consequences are not limited to the Middle East. Countries in Europe and Asia that rely on imported energy are particularly exposed to disruptions, while higher transport and fuel costs can add pressure to inflation worldwide.
A reopening agreement could therefore have an immediate significance for energy markets and international trade. But restoring normal commercial traffic would also depend on security guarantees, the removal of restrictions and confidence among shipping companies and insurers.
Trump has not ruled out further military action
The diplomatic discussions are taking place against the possibility that military action could resume.
US President Donald Trump has said Washington will not launch new attacks against Iran before the November 3 midterm elections. He has described the negotiations as productive but has not ruled out further military action afterwards.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump had not made a decision on whether to authorize additional strikes and would prefer to resolve the conflict through diplomacy.
Iran, meanwhile, has repeatedly warned that any new attacks would trigger retaliation against US and Israeli targets in neighbouring countries.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has also ordered the armed forces to maintain a high level of readiness, reinforcing the pressure surrounding the negotiations.
The diplomatic process is therefore unfolding alongside continuing military preparations and mutual threats.
Qatar emerges as a key diplomatic channel
Qatar has become an important intermediary in efforts to bring Washington and Tehran closer to an agreement.
Qatari representatives held more than 12 hours of discussions with Iranian officials in Tehran on Friday before the negotiations continued in Doha.
The talks are being coordinated through regular contacts with Washington, according to an official briefed on the discussions.
The arrangement gives both sides a channel to explore possible compromises without requiring direct public negotiations.
For Qatar, preventing another major conflict in the Gulf is also a matter of regional security and economic stability.
A possible breakthrough — but no deal yet
The proposal to reopen Hormuz within 48 hours offers a possible route toward reducing one of the most serious threats to global energy trade.
However, major questions remain unanswered: whether Washington will accept Iran’s demands, whether Tehran will make concessions on the blockade and sanctions, and whether both sides can agree on the security arrangements needed to restore shipping.
The third day of talks demonstrates that diplomatic efforts are continuing. It does not mean that a settlement is imminent.
For global markets, governments and shipping companies, the coming days could prove critical.
A successful agreement could reopen a vital energy route and reduce pressure on the world economy. A breakdown in negotiations, on the other hand, could leave the region facing renewed military confrontation and further disruption to international trade.
For now, the Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of a high-stakes diplomatic contest — and the next move from Washington and Tehran could affect far more than the Middle East.
Source:Reuters — Iran and Qatar hold third day of talks
Al Jazeera — Two-day proposal to reopen Hormuz
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