Gharibabadi: America requested talks and sent a message about the Strait of Hormuz
Kazem Gharibabadi, the Deputy Foreign Minister, said that Iran has not made any requests to negotiate with the United States in the past 17 days, and it is Washington that has sought talks. He added that about 10 days ago, the U.S. sent a message suggesting that hostilities should end and proposed that if the source of the conflict is the Strait of Hormuz, Iran and Oman should reach an understanding about it.
Gharibabadi also said that during the two days of talks between Iran and Oman, the U.S. announced that it would not take any military action, and for this reason, the Iranian armed forces also decided not to take action. He emphasized that the current discussions in Tehran are only with Oman and about the Strait of Hormuz, and there are no negotiations with the U.S. underway.
The Deputy Foreign Minister also claimed that the UK and France, with the participation of 34 countries, have formed a coalition to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz. He said that Iran has warned these countries that it will not allow such an action, and if their ships approach the strait for mine-clearing, they will be a legitimate target for the Islamic Republic.
Gharibabadi also said that Iran has opposed reopening the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz because, according to him, such an action weakens Iran’s sovereignty over this waterway. He added that the naval blockade does not affect Iran’s decision-making about talks, and Tehran does not consider its military responses to be weak.