Iran's Hormuz Strait plan reportedly bars US, Israeli ships
Iran has circulated a draft plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping while excluding vessels registered to the United States and Israel. Washington rejected the terms within hours, saying it will not accept any restrictions on free passage through the waterway.
Iran circulated a draft proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil passes — to commercial shipping, but with an exception barring vessels registered to the United States and Israel. The plan emerged amid ongoing negotiations aimed at easing tensions in the Gulf.
The United States rejected the terms within hours of them becoming public. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would not accept any impediments to free passage through the strait, calling the proposal unworkable as the basis for a lasting deal.
The strait has been a flashpoint for months as Iran has periodically threatened to restrict traffic in response to sanctions and regional strikes. Oil prices have moved on each new signal from the talks, and traders are watching closely for a formal response from Tehran in the coming days.
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