New Delhi:In a major diplomatic signal amid continuing tensions inWest Asia, Iran has told Times Now exclusively that it is willing to reopen the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, but only if the United States ends what Tehran calls a 'naval blockade' and unfreezes billions of dollars worth of Iranian assets. Speaking to Times Now’s Managing Editor Zakka Jacob on Wednesday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi made it clear that Tehran is not looking for a temporary ceasefire with Washington but wants a “permanent end” to the conflict.
“We do not want a pause. We want a complete end to the war,” the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister said, outlining Tehran’s position at a time when global concerns over energy security and shipping disruptions in the Gulf continue to rise.
The remarks came just hours before Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in India for the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ summit, where the Middle East conflict and maritime security are expected to dominate discussions.
In the exclusive interaction, the Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister said Tehran is ready to reopen the Strait of Hormuz if two key conditions are met:the US must end the naval blockade and around $25 billion in frozen Iranian assets must be released.
According to the Iranian side, once an agreement is reached, the Strait could reopen under a new operational framework jointly managed by Iran and Oman, which control the northern and southern sides of the waterway respectively.
The proposed mechanism would reportedly involve ships being charged service fees based on cargo volume and vessel size, with the revenue shared between Tehran and Muscat.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, carrying a significant portion of global crude exports. Any disruption in the region has immediate implications for oil prices, shipping routes and energy-importing countries such as India.
The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, in a message to New Delhi, described India as a “friendly country” and indicated that Tehran was open to facilitating the movement of Indian vessels through the Strait.
He revealed that around 11 Indian ships had already been allowed passage in the past two months since tensions escalated, while nearly 13 vessels remain stuck in the region.
Iran, he said, would be willing to allow the remaining Indian ships to transit through the Strait provided both sides could arrive at a mutually acceptable commercial arrangement.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
