Key Takeaways
- Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
- US President Donald Trump rejected Iran's proposal, citing Iran's financial pressure.
- The conflict over Hormuz is central to the ongoing war between the US and Iran.
Iran has reaffirmed its stance on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, despite the rejection by US President Donald Trump. In a statement, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that any move toward reopening the strait is contingent upon the fulfillment of Iran's conditions.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy supply, has been at the center of the conflict between the United States and Iran, which began nearly seven months ago with deadly strikes on Iran.
According to Araghchi, Iran's conditions include a cessation of all hostilities in the Middle East, including in Lebanon, and the fulfillment of conditions in the ceasefire deal that fell apart months ago. This agreement called for the release of frozen Iranian assets, the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil, and an end to the US naval blockade.
In a statement, Trump rejected the truce deal, saying, 'They want to make a deal where they open the Strait immediately because they’re losing so badly.' He added, 'They want to make a deal and I think that’s fine. I like making a deal too.'
Iran's Foreign Minister also stated, 'Our conditions are clear, and any move toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz is contingent upon these conditions being fulfilled. We will not back down from them.'
The conflict over Hormuz has seen Iran firing on commercial ships in the strait, while the United States sporadically bombs Iranian coastal areas in retaliation. Iran requires ships to obtain authorisation before passage, citing security and sovereignty reasons.
At the UN, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan complained that the 'international community has been absent' and is failing to live up to the responsibility to keep the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab open.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated, 'Russia, together with other responsible states, stands ready to constructively contribute to stabilising this strategically important region.'
In New York, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and said: 'Iran has conveyed to the United States, through Qatar, a concrete seven-day plan. If the necessary conditions are met, the strait can be reopened, and normal maritime passage restored within seven days.'
Our conditions are clear, and any move toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz is contingent upon these conditions being fulfilled. We will not back down from them.
Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Foreign Minister
They want to make a deal where they open the Strait immediately because they’re losing so badly.
Donald Trump, US President
