Iran FM says US outreach a ‘positive step’ as delegation visits Qatar for talks
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has described the United States’ effort to open dialogue with Tehran as “a positive step”, but said there are currently no plans for direct meetings between the two countries over their eight-month-old war.
Speaking to Al Jazeera on Saturday, Araghchi said Iran had reviewed a letter sent by US Vice-President JD Vance during high-level meetings and outlined Tehran’s conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which he said could pave the way for renewed negotiations with Washington.
He also disclosed that an Iranian delegation had travelled to Doha, a day after Qatari mediators visited Tehran in an apparent effort to revive the US-Iran ceasefire. Araghchi said one of his aides was in Qatar to continue consultations.
“The American side’s attempt to open the door to dialogue and understanding more broadly is a positive step,” he said, warning that any attempt by Washington to create divisions through the letter would be another mistake.
Araghchi dismissed reports of an imminent meeting between the two countries, describing them as media speculation. He said Tehran saw no need for direct talks at the moment, adding that any decision on direct or indirect negotiations would depend on the fulfilment of Iran’s conditions.
He said mediators had presented proposals concerning Iran’s nuclear programme, which Tehran was reviewing as part of the second phase of discussions. Qatari and Pakistani mediators were also continuing consultations on Iran’s demands.
On the Strait of Hormuz, Araghchi said discussions with Qatari mediators had reduced the proposed implementation period for reopening the strategic waterway from five days to two days.
He said Iran’s conditions included the lifting of sanctions imposed after the Islamabad memorandum, a reduction in US military presence in the region, restoration of oil waivers and the release of all frozen Iranian funds, including those held in Qatar.
Tehran is also demanding recognition of shipping routes through the strait that it had discussed with Oman, as well as the closure of other routes. However, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Tehran, Resul Serdar Atas, said Iran had shown no significant flexibility in its position.
Atas said Iran was maintaining its demands for the release of frozen assets, including $6 billion held in Qatar, and the removal of sanctions affecting its energy and nuclear sectors.
Meanwhile, Araghchi said Iran was not ruling out the possibility of another attack, adding that its armed forces were prepared for all scenarios.
“We have upgraded our weaponry, addressed our vulnerabilities, and tested new arms. Our forces are at the highest level of readiness,” he said.
Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, Major-General Ali Abdollahi, also warned on Saturday that any attack on the country would attract a massive response without geographical limitations.
He said Iran had identified new enemy targets and assets, adding that the United States and Israel would face an “unimaginable response” in the event of another war.
A former Iranian diplomat, Abbas Khamayar, told Al Jazeera that he expected the current situation to persist until after next week’s US midterm elections.
Credit: Aljazeera
