Iran Offers Six-Day Hormuz Reopening Plan as U.S. Rejects Terms and Attacks Surge

As October 19, 2026 unfolded, diplomacy over the Iran-US conflict remained deadlocked. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit in Baghdad on October 18, said the Strait of Hormuz would reopen on the sixth day of a proposed seven-day plan if the United States lifted its naval blockade on Iranian ports and suspended sanctions on Iranian oil exports. The proposal — the same framework Trump rejected at the UN General Assembly in September — calls for negotiations to begin on day seven. Trump has refused to engage on those terms and announced a 'crushing economic operation' against Iran. Meanwhile, maritime violence intensified: UK Maritime Trade Operations reported at least ten vessel attacks in or near the Strait of Hormuz in the week ending October 19, the highest weekly total since the conflict escalated in February 2026. A previous ceasefire held from April 8 to July 8 before collapsing. The Houthis continued striking Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Centre skyscraper in Riyadh ordered mandatory remote work after security alerts and drone interceptions. Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu praised Trump and vowed to 'eliminate the Iranian threat' ahead of Israel's October 27 general election.