Iran insists on diplomatic path as US peace talks stall over Hormuz blockade

Tehran’s top diplomat stated on Sunday that a military resolution to the ongoing conflict with the United States is impossible, highlighting a stalemate in peace negotiations. The remark came as heavy bombardments launched by the US and Israel since late February failed to terminate the war, prompting Washington to recently scale back direct military action in favor of economic sanctions.

Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, addressed a gathering of foreign ambassadors, warning that any renewed military confrontation would be met with intensified force. “There is no military solution, nor any solution based on new sanctions,” Araghchi said, emphasizing that only “negotiations based on justice and fairness” could conclude the hostilities.

The central point of contention remains Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for Gulf oil and gas exports. On Sunday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that another tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile in the strait. While the crew survived and no environmental damage was recorded, the incident underscored the volatility of the shipping lane, which Iran has sought to control by attacking vessels lacking authorization since the war began.

Although a memorandum of understanding was reached in June outlining a framework for a permanent settlement, Iranian attacks on maritime traffic led to a resumption of US military operations. In response, the US has imposed a counterblockade on Iranian ports and targeted ships accused of violating it.

Domestically, Iran faced further turmoil as Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad resigned. The presidency announced that President Masoud Pezeshkian initially rejected Paknejad’s departure due to personal reasons but ultimately accepted it after the minister insisted on leaving. Hamid Bovard, CEO of the National Iranian Oil Company, has been appointed to replace him amidst the US blockade on Iran’s oil exports.

Indirect talks between Iranian and US officials took place last week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Tehran presented seven conditions for reopening the strait, including a Middle East ceasefire, the unfreezing of Iranian assets abroad, the lifting of oil sector sanctions, and an end to the US naval blockade. However, President Donald Trump rejected the proposal, though he left open the possibility of further negotiations or additional military strikes.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirmed that US views on the proposal are currently being reviewed through intermediary channels. Meanwhile, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei characterized the latest US counterproposal as consistent with previous demands regarding nuclear issues, reiterating that reopening Hormuz requires halting disruptions to Iranian commercial maritime traffic and removing sanctions.

The US and Israel have justified the war as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies. Although the initial objective was nuclear non-proliferation, the focus has shifted significantly toward restoring access to the Hormuz strait after its closure sent shockwaves through global energy markets. The US has not conducted strikes against Iran since September 1 but continues to reinforce its military presence in the region.