Iran has indicated that access through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz will remain selective as tensions with the United States continue, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi saying Tehran has already allowed passage for 11 vessels linked to India but will not permit unrestricted movement for all ships.
“For India, a friendly country, we have allowed the passage of 11 vessels. We are working to allow some more vessels. Not all vessels will be allowed,” Gharibabadi told NDTV.
He added that Iran welcomes India's assistance during the ongoing crisis and confirmed that vessels crossing Hormuz would face charges determined “on transparency and international standards.”
On the broader geopolitical standoff, Gharibabadi said the United States, and not Iran, had sought a ceasefire.
“America, not Iran requested a ceasefire,” he said, adding that Tehran had initially opposed such a move because the prevailing situation represented “no peace and no war.” Iran eventually agreed to talks in an effort to find a diplomatic resolution, he said.
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Outlining Tehran's negotiating position, the Iranian deputy foreign minister said Iran was prepared to reopen Hormuz if the US lifted sanctions and removed what he described as a blockade.
He also called for the return of frozen Iranian assets and reiterated that Tehran was willing to negotiate for 30 days on all outstanding issues, including the nuclear dispute.
“Iran commits not to build a nuclear weapon,” he said.
Gharibabadi said ongoing discussions around Iran's uranium programme had focused on three key areas, non-development commitments, handling existing enriched uranium stockpiles and future enrichment activity.
According to him, negotiations included proposals related to transferring Iranian enriched uranium, diluting enrichment levels and converting uranium into fuel rods.
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However, he accused Washington of refusing meaningful negotiations.
“US only want their terms,” he said, adding that the US was demanding Iran transfer uranium enriched to 60% exclusively to America and suspend enrichment activity for 20 years.
“We cannot deprive our nation,” Gharibabadi said, rejecting the proposal.
“Transferring to the United States — why?”
He further alleged that the US was “doing dictation, not negotiation” after “waging a war” and failing to achieve its objectives.
In a significant disclosure, the Iranian official also said Tehran does not currently have physical control over uranium enriched to 60%, claiming the material remains underground at facilities damaged in recent bombings.
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