Iran rejects military resolution to US conflict as Hormuz dispute stalls talks

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has rejected a military solution to the conflict with the United States, calling instead for negotiations based on what he described as justice and fairness. His remarks came as indirect talks appeared stalled and the Strait of Hormuz remained the central dispute. Speaking to foreign ambassadors on Sunday, Araghchi warned that Iran would respond more forcefully if its opponents again chose military confrontation.

He also said that neither military action nor additional sanctions could resolve the conflict, according to Punch Nigeria, the South China Morning Post and Channels Television. The reports describe the war as having begun with heavy bombardment by the United States and Israel in late February. Washington has reduced military operations in recent weeks while increasing economic pressure, although Channels reported that the United States was also pursuing a fresh military buildup in the region.

Iran has sought to control passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for Gulf oil and gas. The reports say Iranian attacks on vessels attempting to transit without its authorisation prompted a return to US military operations. The United States has imposed a counterblockade on Iranian ports and has struck vessels it accuses of breaching that blockade.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said on Sunday that a tanker in the strait had reported being hit by an unknown projectile, damaging its engine room. The crew were safe and no environmental impact was reported. UKMTO did not identify the ship, give its origin or destination, specify when the incident occurred, or establish whether it was an oil tanker or an LNG carrier.

Iranian officials said last week’s indirect contacts with US representatives, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, included seven conditions for reopening the waterway. The demands reported by the three detailed accounts included a ceasefire across the Middle East, the unfreezing of Iranian assets, the lifting of sanctions on Iran’s oil sector and an end to the US naval blockade. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the United States had conveyed its views through intermediaries and that Iranian authorities were reviewing them.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Washington’s counterproposal remained focused on nuclear issues, while Iran was insisting on the Strait of Hormuz, an end to disruption of Iranian commercial shipping and the lifting of sanctions. The United States and Israel have said the war is necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a goal Tehran has denied pursuing. Channels also reported that additional Patriot batteries had been deployed to Saudi Arabia and Qatar and that the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier group was heading to the region.

Separately, Iran’s oil minister, Mohsen Paknejad, resigned amid fuel queues, with National Iranian Oil Company chief Hamid Bovard appointed acting minister.