Iran has signalled that it remains open to diplomatic efforts to end its six-month war with the United States, even as fighting continues and negotiations between the two sides remain stalled.
“Putting diplomacy back on track isn’t impossible. It hinges on US understanding of one simple fact: pressure doesn’t work,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X on Friday.
Diplomatic efforts, spearheaded by mediators including Pakistan and Qatar, have tried for months to bring an end to the war started by the US and Israel in late February, to no avail.
While a ceasefire was agreed in April and a memorandum of understanding towards a final peace deal was signed in June, no agreement has been forthcoming, and Washington has since declared “economic warfare” against Tehran.
In the latest diplomatic effort, Araghchi met his Qatari counterpart in Tehran on Thursday to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran closed at the outset of the war, following a week of intensive talks between Iran, Oman and Pakistan.
The April ceasefire put an end to the most intense fighting, but sporadic attacks, mainly around the Strait of Hormuz, have dimmed the prospects of a final peace agreement.
Tehran has for weeks been holding talks on the future of Hormuz with Muscat, whose territorial waters account for the other half of the strait, while insisting that Hormuz will remain closed so long as Washington has not fulfilled its commitments under the June memorandum, which calls for lifting the US counter-blockade and removing sanctions.
“The US should build trust, speak respectfully, acknowledge our rights, and uphold commitments,” Araghchi said.