Amid growing global anxiety over the security of the Strait of Hormuz and the fragile ceasefire in West Asia, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi struck a cautious but defiant tone during his visit to New Delhi, saying Tehran is ready to ensure safe passage through the crucial oil corridor, even as mistrust with the United States remains “the main obstacle” to diplomacy. Speaking in Delhi on Friday, Araghchi said Iran shared US President Donald Trump’s stated position that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open and that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons.
“We share the same opinion. Iran has never wanted nuclear weapons,” Araghchi said, pointing to the 2015 nuclear deal as proof of Tehran’s long-standing position. He reiterated that Iran’s nuclear programme remains peaceful and said Tehran has always been willing to build international confidence around it.
In one of his strongest remarks on the maritime crisis so far, Araghchi said Iran wants the Strait of Hormuz to be “fully reopened” and insisted that, from Tehran’s perspective, the waterway remains operational.
“As far as we are concerned, the Strait of Hormuz is open and all vessels can pass except the vessels of those countries that are fighting with us,” he said.
The Iranian minister blamed regional instability on “US aggression” and stressed that the strategically vital strait falls within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman.
“Everything should be managed by Iran and Oman,” he said, adding that both countries are currently consulting on future arrangements to ensure “safe passage of all vessels”.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, with nearly one-fifth of global oil supplies passing through the narrow waterway. Disruptions in the region following the Iran-US-Israel conflict have rattled global energy markets and shipping routes.
Araghchi repeatedly underlined Tehran’s deep mistrust of Washington, accusing the US of changing its stance repeatedly during negotiations.
“The current negotiation is suffering from a lack of trust. Every day is different from yesterday. A tweet today is different from yesterday’s,” he said.
In a sharp attack on Washington, the Iranian foreign minister claimed the US turned to diplomacy only after failing to achieve its military objectives during the conflict.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
