Iran urges negotiations as talks over Strait of Hormuz stall
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says negotiations are the only path to end the war, while Iran reviews Washington’s response to its proposal on reopening the strait.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called for negotiations to end the war with the United States, saying there is no military solution as efforts to reach a settlement appear stalled. He warned that Iran would respond with greater force if attacked again.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a central dispute. Iran says it is reviewing the US response to its proposal on reopening the waterway, which reportedly includes a regional ceasefire, the unfreezing of Iranian assets, lifting oil sanctions and ending the US naval blockade.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a tanker in the strait had been struck by an unidentified projectile, damaging its engine room. The crew were safe and no environmental impact was reported. UKMTO did not give the incident date, the vessel’s origin or destination, or its cargo.
The United States has not struck Iran since 1 September, according to France 24, and has shifted towards economic pressure while maintaining a blockade on Iranian ports. A June memorandum had set out a framework for a permanent resolution, but the report does not indicate that negotiations have formally ended.
Iranian oil minister Mohsen Paknejad has resigned and was replaced by Hamid Bovard, chief executive of the National Iranian Oil Company, the presidency said.
