Iran has announced that it will continue diplomatic contacts through Pakistan and Qatar, while maintaining its conditions for possible talks with the US. According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, mediators from both countries are consulting on Tehran’s demands, but there is currently no intention of an immediate direct meeting with the US.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Abbas Araqchi said that the message sent by US Vice President JD Vance is being reviewed at the highest level. According to him, Washington’s attempt at a broader dialogue is being considered a positive development.
He clarified that only after Iran’s conditions are accepted will it be decided whether to hold direct talks with the US or move forward through indirect contacts.
The Iranian Foreign Minister said that Qatar had proposed to reduce the implementation period of Iran’s seven-day proposal to open the Strait of Hormuz to five days.
According to him, after consultations, a new proposal has been agreed upon, under which the implementation period of the plan has been further reduced to two days.
Araqchi said that Iran may consider opening the Strait of Hormuz on the condition of recognising the new sea routes agreed with Oman in the Strait of Hormuz and closing other routes.
He clarified that the matter of reopening the Strait of Hormuz is subject to the implementation of Iran’s conditions.
According to Araqchi, Tehran’s demands include the lifting of sanctions imposed after the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, a reduction in the US military presence in the region, the restoration of exemptions related to sanctions on Iranian oil and the release of frozen Iranian assets abroad.
He said that frozen Iranian assets in Qatar should also be returned.
According to the Iranian Foreign Minister, progress on these conditions could pave the way for negotiations with Washington on other controversial issues.
Abbas Araqchi warned that there is a possibility of war between Iran and the US breaking out again. According to him, the Iranian forces are ready to deal with any situation.
He said that Iran wants to end the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and reduce tensions in the region.
Araqchi added that Tehran wants to give diplomacy a chance, but serious progress on Iranian conditions is necessary for negotiations from the US.
