Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Sunday that the country will not back down from its conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, despite US President Donald Trump's rejection of the proposal. The plan, which aimed to bring an end to hostilities in the Middle East, including in Lebanon, and fulfill certain conditions, was met with skepticism by Trump. Araghchi emphasized that Iran's conditions are clear and that any move toward reopening the strait is contingent upon these conditions being fulfilled.
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for the world's energy supply, has been at the center of the conflict between Washington and Tehran. Iran's plan called for a cessation of all hostilities in the Middle East and the fulfillment of conditions in the ceasefire deal that fell apart months ago. These conditions included the release of frozen Iranian assets, the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil, and an end to the US naval blockade. Araghchi stressed that Iran has never closed the door to diplomacy or negotiations but will not back down from its rights.
Trump, on Saturday, rejected the truce deal, stating that Iran wants to make a deal because they are "losing so badly." He expressed his willingness to make a deal but did not provide further details. Araghchi, on Sunday, said that the Iranians have seen the first reaction from the US president, but so far, nothing has been conveyed to them by the mediators. Iran is waiting for the mediators to convey the definitive positions to them and will make a decision based on them.
The conflict between Washington and Tehran began nearly seven months ago with deadly US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Since then, Iran has fired on commercial ships in Hormuz that it accused of deviating from its approved route through the waterway. Iran requires ships to obtain authorization before passage, citing security and sovereignty reasons. Ships that refuse to comply are regularly targeted, while the United States sporadically bombs Iranian coastal areas in retaliation.
At the UN, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan expressed concern that the international community has failed to live up to its responsibility to keep the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab open. He stressed the waterways' importance to global energy security and rejected any party's use of these vital passages as a tool for pressure, threat, or harm to the interests of states. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, on the other hand, stated that Russia stands ready to constructively contribute to stabilizing the region.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York and stated that Iran has not walked away from the negotiating table but no longer trusts the United States. Araghchi, at the UN, revealed that Iran has conveyed a concrete seven-day plan to the United States through Qatar. If the necessary conditions are met, the strait can be reopened, and normal maritime passage restored within seven days. He emphasized that the choice now rests with the United States and that Iran will not surrender its sovereign rights under pressure.
Hossein Mohebi, a spokesman for Iran's Revolutionary Guards, stated that Iran will not cease punishing the US until Iran's seven conditions are met. He had previously told AFP in an exclusive interview that ending hostilities in Yemen was also among Tehran's demands. The situation remains tense, with Iran standing firm on its conditions and the US rejecting the proposal. The international community is watching closely, as the Strait of Hormuz's closure could have significant implications for global energy security.
Key points
- Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that the country's conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz are clear and will not be compromised.
- The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway for the world's energy supply, and its closure could have significant implications for global energy security.
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran has not walked away from the negotiating table but no longer trusts the United States.
