Iran has put three conditions to the United States for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints, within a week.

If the US lifts its naval blockade of Iranian ports and its ban on Iranian oil sales, and accepts a ceasefire arrangement that includes Lebanon, Iran says it will reopen the strait within seven days and restart talks on its nuclear programme.

Speaking to journalists at the entrance to the UN Security Council on Friday 25 September, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the seven-day clock would start from the moment Washington accepted the conditions.

He said initial preparations would take four to five days, that the strait would be fully open on the sixth day, and that final talks with the United States on the nuclear file would begin on the seventh.

Hormuz, through which around 20 per cent of the world's oil and natural gas trade passes, has become Iran's principal instrument of global pressure since it was closed.

In a short response, the White House said only that US officials were holding positive and constructive discussions.