Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, stated in an interview with Iraq's Al-Akhbariya network that negotiations between Iran and the United States through intermediary countries, especially Pakistan and Qatar, are still ongoing. He mentioned a seven-day plan that has been presented to the American side, which includes Iran's conditions for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran's Conditions for the Strait of Hormuz
In this interview, Araghchi pointed out that it has been previously communicated to the American side that the Strait of Hormuz will be fully reopened, provided that the Americans adhere to Iran's conditions. He added: "The Americans have informed us that they agree with our conditions, but they wish to add other conditions as well." In response to the question of what these conditions entail, Araghchi stated that the details of the negotiations are not intended to be made public.
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Lack of Trust in the US and Continued Diplomacy
Araghchi also referred to his and other Iranian officials' lack of trust in the American approach, stating that none of the previous rounds of negotiations have yielded satisfactory results for Iran. He added: "We entered into three rounds of negotiations with the American side, and all three previous rounds ended in war against us. Ultimately, it has been proven to us that trust in the Americans during negotiations is unwise."
The Iranian Foreign Minister emphasized that despite the lack of trust in the US, diplomacy continues, and Iran does not see the doors to negotiation as closed. He said: "If the other side adheres to the agreements, we can enter into negotiations on other issues." Araghchi also referred to the role of the Strait of Hormuz as one of Iran's levers against external pressures and emphasized: "The Strait of Hormuz is closed. Any ship that wishes to pass through this waterway will face many difficulties."
Consequences of Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz
In the continuation of the interview, Araghchi addressed the recent tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and accusations regarding escalating tensions in the Red Sea, stating: "The issue of the Red Sea and the developments occurring there are in no way related to us." He emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz is territorial waters of Iran and Oman, adding: "This strait is not an international strait; rather, it is located in the territorial waters of Iran and Oman."
Araghchi concluded by saying: "The US claims that the strait is open and practically allows ships to pass through; however, the problems that exist for ships entering the Strait of Hormuz stem from the lack of agreements. Iran will never succumb to economic pressures and military threats, and the only appropriate solution is diplomacy and negotiation."
