Iran’s Araghchi: Strait of Hormuz Shipping Resumption Tied to U.S. Meeting Tehran’s Conditions

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an interview published Saturday that Tehran has not made a decision to resume formal negotiations with the United States. He clarified that messages exchanged via Qatar and Pakistan do not constitute negotiations.

Separate Talks With Oman Focus on Maritime Route Definition

In remarks to the Iranian newspaper Shahrvand, Araghchi specified that recent separate discussions with the Sultanate of Oman centered exclusively on delineating a maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz. He stressed that resuming commercial shipping through the waterway remains conditional upon the United States satisfying Iran’s stipulated requirements.

No Decision Yet on U.S. Negotiations, Araghchi Reiterates

Araghchi reiterated late Friday night into Saturday that Iran has not yet decided to restart negotiations with Washington, according to the Iranian Students’ News Agency.

He emphasized that while Qatar and Pakistan serve as intermediaries and maintain communication channels with Iran, the exchange of messages through them “does not amount to negotiations,” using that exact phrasing.

Iran Asserts Sovereign Authority Over Hormuz

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, affirmed that the Strait of Hormuz can be opened or closed solely at Iran’s discretion. He added that American threats and displays of military force do not intimidate Tehran, repeating that precise wording.