Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has said there is no military solution to the ongoing war between Iran and the United States, insisting that only fair and balanced negotiations can bring the conflict to an end.
Speaking to a gathering of foreign ambassadors on Sunday, Araghchi warned that Iran would respond more forcefully if its enemies chose to resume military confrontation.
«“There is no military solution, nor any solution based on new sanctions,” Araghchi said, adding that negotiations based on justice and fairness were the only way to end the conflict.»
The remarks came as diplomatic efforts to end the war appeared to have reached an impasse, while tensions remained high over Iran’s continued closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict, which began with heavy US and Israeli bombardment in late February, has failed to produce a decisive outcome. Washington has recently reduced its military operations while increasing economic pressure on Tehran.
Iran has demanded several conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including a ceasefire across the Middle East, the unfreezing of Iranian assets abroad, the lifting of sanctions on its oil sector and an end to the US naval blockade.
US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s proposal but left open the possibility of further negotiations or renewed military action.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Sunday that Tehran was reviewing the US response to its proposal.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran remained focused on the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that reopening the waterway would require an end to disruptions affecting Iranian commercial shipping and the lifting of sanctions.
Meanwhile, tensions in the strategic waterway continued. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said a tanker had reported being struck by an unknown projectile, damaging its engine room. The crew were reportedly safe and there was no environmental impact.
The agency did not disclose the vessel’s nationality, destination or the exact date of the incident.
The crisis has also intensified economic difficulties inside Iran. Amid growing queues at petrol stations, Iranian Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad resigned on Sunday.
President Masoud Pezeshkian appointed Hamid Bovard, chief executive of the National Iranian Oil Company, as acting oil minister.
The United States and Israel have maintained that their military campaign was aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a goal Tehran has repeatedly denied pursuing. However, the Strait of Hormuz has increasingly become a central issue in the conflict after its closure disrupted global energy markets.
The United States has not carried out strikes against Iran since September 1, although Washington has recently increased its military presence in the region.
US media outlet Axios also reported that senior members of President Trump’s cabinet met on Friday to discuss the Iran war and the conflict in Yemen, where Iran-backed Houthi forces have been fighting government forces and attacking Saudi Arabia.
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