Araghchi: Iran awaiting US response on Strait of Hormuz plan
Tehran - BORNA - Speaking at the conclusion of his visit to New York before departing for Tehran, Araghchi highlighted the Iranian delegation's intensive diplomatic engagements. "It was a highly crowded few days in terms of the volume of bilateral and multilateral meetings," he said, pointing to an extensive schedule of discussions held alongside the Iranian President, as well as independent meetings with media outlets, think tanks, foreign officials, and international organizations.
Araghchi explained that these engagements served multiple strategic objectives, primarily to defend the interests of the Iranian people and project Iran's powerful and confident presence on the global stage. "We encountered numerous countries eager to dialogue with Iran, with a vast majority of these meetings taking place at the other side's request," he noted. "This clearly demonstrated that, contrary to the narratives pushed by the US and the Zionist regime, the Islamic Republic is not isolated but is, in fact, highly respected."
The foreign minister added that various foreign officials praised Iran's steadfastness against "the world's ostensibly largest army," describing this resistance as a source of pride for many nations.
A critical objective of the New York trip, Araghchi emphasized, was clarifying Tehran's definitive stance on the ongoing war and the maritime blockade. "There are conditions set by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution that must be implemented for the Strait of Hormuz to be reopened. Our mission was to inform both the American side and the international community of Iran's initiative," he stated. "Iran’s conditions are entirely just and logical. If the Americans claim to seek an agreement or a peaceful resolution, we have introduced that solution."
Detailing the diplomatic exchange, Araghchi confirmed that Iran's "7-point plan" was transmitted to Washington via Qatari intermediaries. "Despite the remarks made by the US President, I stated that we are waiting for America's official response through the mediators. Today, one of the Qatari mediators held another meeting with us. We discussed ideas on how to pave the way for realizing Iran's conditions. They presented some ideas, and we deliberated on them. They are scheduled to raise this with the American side again, and the final US response will then be relayed to us via the Qatari mediator, hopefully by tomorrow."
Araghchi noted that communication channels involving Qatari and Pakistani mediators have been active for some time but have assumed a more serious tone following Iran's formal proposal. Any official US response will be delivered through these channels, after which Tehran will make its decision.
The top diplomat also firmly dismissed recent media speculations suggesting Iranian concessions. "I categorically declare that there has been no change in Iran's positions. Our conditions for reopening the strait are clear, as is our stance on other issues. There has been absolutely no discussion regarding flexibility."
"Our position is clear. The only subject currently on the table is the Strait of Hormuz, and its reopening is strictly contingent upon the realization of the conditions we have communicated to the other side," Araghchi stressed, urging the public and observers to disregard deliberate media fabrications and targeted atmospheric operations.
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