LONDON, October 21. /TASS/. Iran will always maintain control of the Strait of Hormuz, but the country is ready to ensure safe navigation through this important maritime route responsibly, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was quoted as saying in an article published by the Financial Times on Wednesday.
"The reality is that Iran, simply by virtue of geography, will always have unparalleled leverage over maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz," Araghchi stated. "More importantly, despite the hype about alternative routes, the waterway is irreplaceable for both the region and the world economy."
"The good news is that Iran intends to honor its historic role as a guardian of the Strait and those who lawfully traverse it," he continued.
According to the Iranian top diplomat, "There is a way forward, but it can only materialize once the US administration genuinely accepts that it has no military options."
"That much should already be evident after almost eight months of war, during which none of their publicly stated objectives in attacking Iran have been achieved," Araghchi pointed out.
The Iranian foreign minister reiterated that Tehran had already handed over to the United States, via Qatar, a seven-day plan that envisages the restoration of the navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and it particularly stipulates that "the Strait would reopen on Day 6, with the resumption of talks for a final deal commencing on Day 7."
"If the plan is implemented, life in the region will begin to return to normal. As a career diplomat, I am obliged to do my utmost to give diplomacy a chance, even when hope of success is scant," Araghchi said.
"If the US again chooses military action over diplomacy, I can say with complete and utter confidence that it will result in an even greater strategic failure," he added.
The US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28. In June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding providing for an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon. However, in the early morning hours of July 8, the US resumed large-scale strikes against Iran, accusing it of violating the terms of the agreements reached on the Strait of Hormuz.
Nearly 25% of global oil trade and about 20% of the liquefied natural gas trade are transported through the strait. The US administration then effectively indicated that it would stop using large-scale military force against Iran and instead seek to economically strangle the country through sanctions.