Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said at a press conference in Tehran on Sunday that Iran's current focus is the Strait of Hormuz and that restoring security in the strait requires concrete measures from the United States.
Baghaei said that during the UN General Assembly, the Iranian delegation held good talks with nearly all Gulf countries.
Iran proposed that all neighboring countries abide by the principle of good neighborliness and not allow the United States and Israel to use their territories and facilities to carry out acts that undermine regional security.
Regarding Iran-U.S. relations, Baghaei said that Iran had outlined its position to the Qatari mediator and reviewed concerns conveyed by the U.S. through the mediator.
Iran will conduct necessary reviews regarding certain details and provide additional points to the other party, he said.
"The proposal put forward by the U.S. is largely in line with its previous positions and focuses mainly on the nuclear issue. We have made it clear that currently, Iran’s focus is the issue of the Strait of Hormuz. To ensure the security of the strait, or restore the security of the waterway, the U.S. must take specific actions. This matter, which has been discussed multiple times, includes putting an end to interference with the navigation of Iranian merchant vessels as well as halting sanctions and other interventionist measures," said Baghaei.
Baghaei emphasized that Iran has never abandoned the use of diplomacy to prevent the escalation of tensions and achieve peace, though it considers the chances slim.
He said that past experience and the actions of the United States show that Washington does not take diplomacy seriously.
Baghaei said that consequently, Iran's armed forces remain constantly vigilant and ready to repel any aggression by foreign forces.
On Sept 22, on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Iran conveyed through mediators a proposed seven-day plan to the United States to cease hostilities and reopen the waterway.
At a meeting with foreign ambassadors and diplomats on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that if the seven-day plan is accepted, the Strait of Hormuz will reopen within seven days.
Araghchi said Iran takes both diplomacy and national defense seriously and if the adversaries choose military confrontation again, Iran will retaliate with a tougher stance.
If the adversaries choose diplomacy, Iran stands ready to pursue a just way to resolve the issues through diplomatic means in an effort to end the war, Araghchi said.
Restoring security in Strait of Hormuz requires concrete measures from US: Iranian FM spokesman
