Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced that his country has opened special routes for ships carrying Iraqi oil through the Strait of Hormuz, with the aim of reducing the economic losses Iraq is bearing as a result of the strait's closure.
In an interview for Iraqia News, Araghchi explained that Tehran is aware of the scale of the losses and economic burdens Iraq has incurred because of developments in the strait, stressing that the Iranian side has made efforts to mitigate them.
He added that the economic damage was not limited to Iran but extended to Iraq and the rest of the countries in the region, attributing it to the American-Israeli aggression and the subsequent disruption to navigation and trade.
Araghchi welcomed the withdrawal of American forces from Iraqi territory, praising the steadfastness of the Iraqi people and the role of the Iraqi Resistance in achieving this outcome.
In addition, the Iranian foreign minister noted that he discussed developments in Yemen and regional conditions with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, in addition to holding consultations with ministers taking part in the conference held in Baghdad on the Iranian nuclear file and issues of mutual interest.
Regarding talks with the United States, Araghchi confirmed that they are continuing through mediating countries, including Qatar and Pakistan, reiterating a seven-day Iranian initiative, which includes opening the Strait of Hormuz on its 6th day, provided that the American side accepts the Iranian conditions and abides by them.
Araghchi noted that Washington informed Tehran of its acceptance of the conditions put forward, but that it raised other conditions, explaining that their details cannot be disclosed at present. He also explained that Iran's demands are related to security and economic files that have been discussed previously.
He stressed that Iran's primary demand is for the United States to honor all the commitments in the Islamabad memorandum of understanding. Once those are implemented, talks would move on to other files, leading to a comprehensive agreement.
The top Iranian official explained that the aim of putting forward the initiative is to keep the door of diplomacy open, stressing that Iran does not reject negotiations in principle, but conditions them on the other party's commitment to previous understandings.
On the Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi affirmed that it will not be fully opened to navigation unless an understanding is reached with Washington, stressing that the continued absence of an agreement means the restrictions on ship movement will remain in place.
Regarding coordination with the Sultanate of Oman, he revealed that Tehran and Muscat have agreed to designate special routes for ships entering and exiting through the strait and have prepared the maps and geographic coordinates for them.
He noted that the map of the routes must be registered with the International Maritime Organization, ahead of officially announcing and ratifying them, affirming that the technical steps have been completed in cooperation with the Omani side.
On the Yemeni file, Araghchi affirmed that Iran has declared its "readiness to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Ansar Allah, but has not received a response from either party so far."
He explained that Iran's role could consist of bringing viewpoints closer together and finding common ground to end the war. Furthermore, he stressed the independence of the Yemeni Armed Forces and Lebanon's Hezbollah in making their own decisions, refuting claims that the two Resistance forces act based on Iran's demands.
Regarding the possibility of a renewed American-Israeli aggression against Iran, Araghchi affirmed that all possibilities remain open and that his country is fully prepared to defend itself and its people with all available means.
He stressed that Iran is as ready for diplomacy as it is for war and that the diplomatic option remains available whenever the other side shows seriousness and commitment to the understandings.
He considered that the United States has not achieved its objectives from the aggression on Iran, affirming that economic sanctions and military threats will not push Tehran to surrender or abandon its positions.
Regarding the possibility of Egypt's involvement in military operations alongside Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states against Yemeni Armed Forces, Araghchi said that Cairo has a historical experience that enables it to appreciate the complexities of the Yemeni crisis and avoid direct involvement in it.
He revealed that the Egyptian side informed Tehran that any position it might adopt in the future would be within the framework of defending Saudi Arabia and not with the aim of directly entering the war on Yemen.
He affirmed that the final decision rests with Cairo, warning that any new external meddling in Yemen would further complicate the crisis and widen the scope of the war.
In conclusion, Araghchi called for political understandings among the parties concerned.
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