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15-05-2026
NEW DELHI: Tehran has “no trust” in the US and is interested in negotiating with Washington only if it is serious, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday, as talks on ending the war remained on hold.
All vessels can pass through the Strait of Hormuz except those at war with Tehran, Araqchi told reporters in New Delhi during a visit to attend the Brics foreign ministers’ meeting, adding that vessels wanting to transit should coordinate with its navy.
The situation around the key conduit was “very complicated”, he said.
Iran effectively shut the strait, which earlier handled about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply, to most shipping traffic after its war with the US and Israel erupted in February.
Washington and Tehran announced a ceasefire last month but have been struggling to thrash out a permanent peace pact. Talks, mediated by Pakistan, have been suspended since Iran and the US each rejected the other’s most recent proposals last week.
“Contradictory messages” have made us reluctant about the real intention of the Americans on negotiations, Araghchi said, adding that the mediation process by Pakistan has not failed but is in “difficulty”.
Araghchi also said that Tehran is open to any support, including from China, to help resolve the conflict in the Middle East
Iran is trying to keep the ceasefire to give diplomacy a chance but is also prepared to go back to fighting, he said.
The issues holding up negotiations between the two sides include Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its control of the Hormuz.
Araqchi’s statement on Friday came hours after US President Donald Trump said his patience with Iran was running out and agreed in talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping that Tehran must reopen the strait.
Araghchi said India’s foreign policy decisions were its own sovereign matter.
“India has relations with so many countries and it is for India to decide its relations. What matters to us is India’s relations with Iran,” he said, referring to New Delhi’s ties with the UAE.
The Iranian foreign minister said Tehran attached “great importance” to its partnership with India, describing both nations as ancient civilizations with longstanding historical ties.
“Iran and India are two ancient civilizations that have always shared very good relations and exchanged cultural values. We have enjoyed strong trade and economic cooperation, as well as very good political relations and consultations,” Araghchi said.
“We are certainly determined to continue our friendly and strong relations with India for the benefit of both sides, based on mutual interest and mutual respect,” he added.
Araghchi also praised the hospitality extended by the Indian government during the Brics summit and acknowledged his close coordination with Jaishankar during the recent conflict involving Iran.
“We have been in touch over the past two months while the war, or, better to say, the act of aggression against my country, was going on. We have remained in close contact and consulted with each other,” he said.
He also thanked India for organizing the Brics meeting and appreciated New Delhi’s expression of solidarity with the Iranian people during the crisis.
