Pakistan-led mediation between US-Iran not failed but in difficult phase: Araghchi
- Araghchi says Iran ready to resume fighting if diplomacy fails.
- Iran’s FM welcomes Chinese mediation, calls China strategic partner.
- Iran aims to normalise Hormuz traffic if negotiations progress: FM.
Tehran has “no trust” in the US and is interested in negotiating with Washington only if it is serious, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday, as talks on ending the war remained on hold.
All vessels can pass through the Strait of Hormuz except those at war with Tehran, Araqchi told reporters in New Delhi during a visit to attend the Brics foreign ministers’ meeting, adding that vessels wanting to transit should coordinate with its navy.
The situation around the key conduit was “very complicated”, he said.
Iran effectively shut the strait, which earlier handled about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply, to most shipping traffic after its war with the US and Israel erupted in February.
Washington and Tehran announced a ceasefire last month but have been struggling to thrash out a permanent peace pact. Talks, mediated by Pakistan, have been suspended since Iran and the US each rejected the other’s most recent proposals last week.
“Contradictory messages” have made us reluctant about the real intention of the Americans on negotiations, Araghchi said, adding that the mediation process by Pakistan has not failed but is in “difficulty”.
Araghchi also said that Tehran is open to any support, including from China, to help resolve the conflict in the Middle East
Iran is trying to keep the ceasefire to give diplomacy a chance but is also prepared to go back to fighting, he said.
The issues holding up negotiations between the two sides include Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its control of the Hormuz.
Araqchi’s statement on Friday came hours after US President Donald Trump said his patience with Iran was running out and agreed in talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping that Tehran must reopen the strait.
