Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has rejected allegations that Tehran is close to obtaining a nuclear weapon, while revealing that Iran has presented the United States with a seven-day plan for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Araghchi made the remarks from 2:25 on Friday, September 25, 2026, during a press encounter at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Addressing claims surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme, the Iranian foreign minister said, “The allegation that Iran is on the verge of acquiring a nuclear weapon is a big lie.”
Araghchi described the renewed allegations as political and maintained that Iran’s nuclear programme is peaceful. He also referred to Iran’s membership of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and longstanding monitoring by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
The foreign minister also disclosed that Tehran had communicated a “concrete seven-day plan” to Washington through Qatar, under which the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened if the necessary conditions were met. China Daily Asia+1
According to Araghchi, the seven-day period would begin once the United States accepts the proposal. He said the measures required from Washington could take four or five days, after which the strait could be reopened and negotiations on a final agreement could begin. The Eastleigh Voice
Araghchi said Iran was prepared to restore normal maritime passage if the required conditions were fulfilled, but stressed that Tehran would not accept pressure or threats from Washington.
“The choice now rests with the United States. Iran does not accept coercion, threat or intimidation, and Iran will not surrender its sovereign rights under pressure.”
The proposal comes amid continuing tensions between Iran and the United States over maritime security, sanctions and Tehran’s nuclear programme. Reports on Araghchi’s remarks said Iran had linked the reopening of the strategic waterway to steps that Washington would need to take under an earlier memorandum of understanding.