US offers to lift Iran sanctions in return for reopening Hormuz: Report
The proposal also calls for Tehran to halt attacks by regional proxies, while Iran’s key demands remain unchanged, according to Al Arabiya.
The United States has offered to scrap its newly launched "Operation Economic Outcast," lift sanctions on Iran and end its naval blockade if Tehran reopens the Strait of Hormuz and halts attacks by regional proxies, according to Al Arabiya.
The proposal was conveyed by Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, during a recent visit to Tehran, where he met Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, according to the report. The meeting was described as a "clear and decisive" discussion.
The proposal is being presented as a separate diplomatic initiative linked to efforts to revive parts of a June 2026 memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, which sought to end hostilities and restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the report.
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Focus on Hormuz
Under the reported terms, Iran would have to guarantee free passage through the Strait of Hormuz and stop attacks by regional proxies.
The strait is a major global energy route, with roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply typically passing through it.
In return, Washington would suspend or cancel the economic campaign announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, lift sanctions on Iran and terminate the naval blockade, according to the report.
Iran sticks to its demands
Iran's demands have not changed, according to the report.
Tehran is seeking $300 billion in compensation from the United States, the lifting of all US sanctions, the release of frozen Iranian assets estimated at $100 billion to $123 billion, an end to the naval blockade, the withdrawal of US troops from the region and a comprehensive ceasefire covering Lebanon and Gaza.
Iranian officials have not publicly announced a formal response to the latest reported proposal. Rezaei reportedly told Munir that Tehran would continue consultations on the matter.
"Operation Economic Outcast" was announced by Bessent on 24 August as a new economic pressure campaign targeting Iran's remaining financial channels, including sectors such as digital assets, technology, gold, aviation and shipping.
The reported diplomatic initiative through Pakistan comes as efforts to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain unsettled.
An earlier 60-day interim understanding in June had temporarily eased the US blockade and partially reopened the strait, but later collapsed amid accusations of violations by both sides, according to the report.
Meanwhile, China has rejected pressure to change its economic ties with Iran in response to the new US sanctions push and has opposed what it calls unilateral measures, it added.
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the wider standoff. Any agreement restoring regular shipping through the waterway could ease pressure on global energy markets, while continued uncertainty would keep economic and security risks high.
