Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that Iran has no trust in the United States and negotiations would move forward only if Washington demonstrated seriousness in its approach.
Speaking to reporters during a BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting, Araqchi said Iran remained open to compromise but pointed to what he described as mixed and contradictory messages from the US side.
He stated that vessels could pass through the Strait of Hormuz as long as they were not involved in the conflict against Iran, adding that ships must coordinate with naval forces to ensure safe passage through the strategic waterway.
Araqchi described the situation in the Strait of Hormuz as “very complicated.” The key maritime route, through which nearly one-fifth of global oil and natural gas supplies pass, has faced major disruptions since the outbreak of conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel earlier this year.
Although a ceasefire between Tehran and Washington was announced last month, efforts to reach a final agreement have stalled. Talks mediated by Pakistan were recently postponed after both Iran and the US rejected proposals presented during negotiations.
Araqchi said the mediation process had not collapsed but was facing difficulties. He added that Iran was trying to maintain the ceasefire to give diplomacy an opportunity, while remaining prepared to respond if fighting resumed.
The Iranian foreign minister said the main obstacles in negotiations remained Iran’s nuclear programme and control over the Strait of Hormuz.
His remarks came shortly after US President Donald Trump said he was losing patience with Iran and discussed reopening the strategic waterway during recent talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.