Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Washington must halt its military attacks against Iran, economic sanctions and naval blockade to restore security in the Strait of Hormuz. Baqaei argued that the United States has long borne responsibility for the situation.
The Iranian spokesperson alleged that the United States had violated its obligations under the agreement and breached its own commitments by launching the attacks. He said Iran’s views had been incorporated into the text of the agreement.
Temporary transit route in the Strait of Hormuz
Baqaei said that “very good progress” had been made in talks between Iran and Oman to establish a temporary safe transit route in the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the negotiations had reached their final stage.
Baqaei said he hoped the agreement would be registered with the International Maritime Organization in the coming days. The Iranian spokesperson called on third parties not to interfere in the process and said regional diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions were continuing.
Baqaei said delegations from Oman and Pakistan had visited Iran in recent weeks, while a Qatari delegation had also held talks in Iran the previous day and met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
“Diplomacy is a dynamic and continuous process,” Baqaei said, adding that Tehran would continue to use diplomatic channels to protect its national interests.
Iran accuses US and Israel over attacks in the Strait of Hormuz
Baqaei argued that there had been no security problem in the Strait of Hormuz before the US and Israeli military attacks against Iran. He said security could not be restored on the strategic waterway as long as the naval blockade, economic sanctions and attacks on Iranian commercial vessels continued.
The Iranian spokesperson said that the measures Tehran describes as “economic warfare” and a naval blockade amounted to a continuation of the military attack. He alleged that Iran had the right to take necessary measures in self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Baqaei also said that Iran’s operations targeting US military bases and warships had been carried out within the framework of its right to self-defense.
Statement on the Sirik attack
Baqaei alleged that the United States had continued its attacks against Iran since February 28 and argued that Israel had also played a role in the operations. The Iranian spokesperson condemned an attack he said had been carried out last week in the Sirik region in the south of the country.
Baqaei said the attack targeted a wedding celebration in the Kuhestak region and that many people had been killed. Iranian officials had previously announced that four people were killed and 68 injured in the incident.
Baqaei objected to US Vice President JD Vance’s description of the clashes as a “conflict.” He argued that the wording used could not conceal the nature and scale of US actions.
IAEA access to nuclear facilities
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson alleged that attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran’s nuclear facilities were the main obstacle to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s access to those facilities.
Baqaei argued that the United States and European countries were using IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi’s reports to exert political pressure on Tehran. He held the United States and Israel responsible for the IAEA’s inability to access the facilities.
Baqaei said the latest initiative by the United States and three European countries concerning Iran’s nuclear file was undertaken in “bad faith” and aimed at increasing tensions. He said efforts to return Iran’s file to the United Nations Security Council contradicted previous statements by Western countries.
The United Kingdom, France and Germany launched the dispute resolution process in August 2025, citing Iran’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the 2015 nuclear agreement. Previous UN sanctions were reimposed in September, while Iran, China and Russia rejected the legal validity of the process. European countries, meanwhile, argued that they had the right to activate the mechanism.
South Korea’s possible military contribution
Baqaei also commented on reports concerning South Korea’s possible military contribution to the Strait of Hormuz. He said Iran would view such participation as joining the US military attack and that it would further complicate the situation.
Baqaei said Tehran had not yet adopted an official position on a possible South Korean deployment and that contact with Seoul had been established through diplomatic channels. The Iranian spokesperson said the warning applied to all countries, adding that countries should not become instruments in US military actions against Iran.
Relations with China and possible negotiations
Baqaei said Iran-China relations were very good and stable, adding that ties between the two countries were based on contacts maintained at various levels. He said the absence of a lengthy bilateral meeting between the two countries on the sidelines of the latest summit would not affect relations.
Speaking about possible negotiations, Baqaei said talks were not inherently good or bad but were a tool used to advance national interests and security. He said the Foreign Ministry would follow decisions taken by the relevant Iranian authorities and the Supreme National Security Council.
Iran prepares for the United Nations General Assembly
Baqaei said Iran would present its position at the upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly. The Iranian spokesperson said host country the United States must fulfill its obligations and issue visas to the Iranian delegation on time.
