Araghchi: Washington still prefers negotiations... and Iran is prepared for all scenarios

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Tehran had received U.S. messages after President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s latest proposal, indicating a desire to continue dialogue and the negotiating track.

Araghchi stressed that Iran’s nuclear program is “peaceful,” affirming his country’s readiness to prove its peaceful nature. He also noted that the issue of enriched uranium is “complex,” and that there had been an understanding with Washington to postpone discussing it to a later stage of the negotiations.

He explained that Iran still doubts the seriousness of the United States in negotiations, adding that Tehran will continue along the diplomatic path when it sees “genuine seriousness” from the American side.

On the regional front, he announced that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open to shipping traffic except for vessels belonging to countries that are “at war with Iran,” calling on passing ships to coordinate with the Iranian military to ensure safe passage. He pointed out that special navigation arrangements would be made in cooperation with the Sultanate of Oman after the end of the “aggression.”

He also welcomed any international efforts to help resolve the crisis, particularly from China, underscoring the strength of relations between Tehran and Beijing and Iran’s readiness to cooperate with China on energy issues and a political settlement.

Araghchi concluded by emphasizing that the chances for a diplomatic solution still exist, alongside the possibility of a return to full-scale confrontation, stressing that Iran is “ready for all scenarios.”