Published : 21 Oct 2026 09:57 AM
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until Washington accepts Tehran’s conditions, while indirect talks continue through Pakistan and Qatar.
“The American side must accept our conditions for the strait to open to ships and vessels,” he told Haider Zuwair on Iraq’s Al-Iraqiya News channel.
Before an agreement is reached, “the strait will naturally remain closed”, he said.
Araghchi said Washington had expressed agreement with Iran’s proposed “Seven-Day Plan”, which envisaged fully reopening Hormuz on the sixth day, but wanted additional clauses concerning issues discussed in earlier negotiations.
He said the US must fulfil all commitments under the previously signed Islamabad memorandum of understanding before talks on other issues could begin. Any issue raised by either side could be discussed in the final stage of negotiations, he added.
Araghchi also rejected US economic sanctions and military threats, reports AL Jazeera.
“Iran will in no way surrender to either economic sanctions or military threats. The only appropriate solution is diplomacy and a negotiated solution,” he said.