Iran offers Strait of Hormuz deal but lashes out at US during meeting in Russia
Iran offered to end its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz without addressing its nuclear program, officials with knowledge of the proposal said Monday.
Iran also wants the United States to ends its blockade of the country as part of its proposal, and has blamed the US for the failure of talks in Pakistan.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in Russia Monday for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin as part of a trip that included two stops in Pakistan and a visit to Oman, which shares the strait with the Islamic Republic.
Araghchi said Monday that his trip to Russia offered an opportunity to coordinate with Moscow, saying: ‘It is a good opportunity for us to consult with our Russian friends about the developments that have occurred in relation to the war during this period and what is happening now,’ he said.
Araghchi said it was America’s approach that ’caused the negotiations to be delayed’ that had been planned in Islamabad.
‘The previous one, despite the progress that had been made, could not achieve its goals,’ he said, blaming what he called Washington’s ‘excessive demands.’
Meanwhile, oil prices were up Monday as a standoff between the US and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz remained despite a ceasefire, while Pakistan leaders were seeking to revive stalled talks between the two countries.
Pakistan-led mediators are working to bridge significant gaps between the U.S. and Iran, according to a regional official involved in the mediation efforts who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter.
US President Donald Trump canceled plans for his top envoys to travel to Islamabad this weekend for negotiations after Iran insisted the US should end its blockade of Iranian ports before new talks can take place.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in St. Petersburg for diplomatic talks
