Iran is examining the U.S. response to its proposal to end hostilities, a senior Iranian official said. The official said indirect talks between Tehran and Washington on September 22 covered reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil-shipping passage, and lifting the U.S. blockade. Iran's main priority is to permanently end hostilities and secure the removal of the U.S. naval blockade. Walter Bloomberg reported the comments on September 23. The item included a Shutterstock photo credited to JH Kim.