Iran offers 7-day ceasefire plan to U.S. to halt Yemen conflict

YEMEN, STRAIT OF HORMUZ, WASHINGTON, TEHRAN, MALAYSIA, 25 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has offered a seven-day window for the U.S.

to engage in direct talks, marking the first concrete diplomatic overture from Tehran since tensions over its nuclear programme and regional influence escalated to new heights. The proposal comes as both nations remain locked in a standoff that has raised fears of further destabilisation in the Middle East, where Malaysia’s economic and security interests are increasingly intertwined.

Pezeshkian’s remarks, delivered in a nationally televised address, underscored Iran’s refusal to yield to external pressure while signalling a willingness to de-escalate through dialogue. He explicitly stated that Tehran would not bow to coercion but remained open to negotiations, framing the seven-day proposal as a gesture of goodwill. The offer follows weeks of heightened rhetoric, including U.S.

sanctions reinstatement and Iranian military drills near strategic chokepoints in the Strait of Hormuz—a waterway critical to global oil trade, including Malaysia’s energy imports.

The proposal was made without preconditions, though Pezeshkian did not specify whether the talks would address the full spectrum of disputes, including Iran’s nuclear activities, its support for regional proxies, or the fate of detained dual-nationals—an issue that has directly affected Malaysian citizens. The Iranian leader’s address came amid reports that Washington had dismissed earlier indirect diplomatic channels as insufficient, leaving the seven-day window as the first direct test of U.S. responsiveness.

A senior Iranian diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, told state media that the proposal was not a concession but a "strategic move to break the cycle of hostility."

The offer has sparked cautious optimism among regional observers, though analysts warn that the U.S. administration—currently focused on domestic political pressures—may treat the proposal with scepticism. Malaysia, which maintains diplomatic ties with both Tehran and Washington, has historically urged restraint in the nuclear standoff, citing the risks of spillover effects on global energy markets and Southeast Asian stability.

The country’s foreign ministry has not yet commented on the development, but sources familiar with the matter indicate that Kuala Lumpur is monitoring the situation closely, particularly given its role as a mediator in past regional conflicts.

The seven-day countdown begins immediately, with Iranian state media reporting that Tehran has already notified Washington through backchannels. The U.S.

State Department has not responded publicly, but a spokesperson declined to rule out engagement, stating only that America’s position on Iran’s nuclear programme remains "unchanged." If the proposal lapses without a response, Pezeshkian has warned that Iran will pursue "all available options" to protect its sovereignty—a statement interpreted by regional allies as a veiled threat to accelerate uranium enrichment or escalate proxy activities in Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon.

The next critical juncture will be the expiration of the seven-day period, after which Iran’s Foreign Ministry has pledged to reassess its diplomatic strategy.

Related: Masoud Pezeshkian