Baqaei: We said goodbye to language of 'must' 47 years ago; Future management of Strait of Hormuz lies with Iran and Oman

Pars Today — The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran has said that the exchange of messages between Iran and the United States continues, but no final agreement has been reached.

According to Pars Today citing IRNA, "Ismail Baqaei," spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said in a telephone appearance on Friday night on the program "Be Vaght-e Iran" [In Iran's Time] on IRIB News Network: "We said goodbye to the language of 'must' 47 years ago. None of the Western parties, when speaking about the Islamic Republic of Iran, can use the language of 'must.' We make our own decisions based on the interests and rights of the Iranian nation."

He added: "What the Americans refer to as a 'naval siege' was from the beginning an illegal act; it was both a violation of the ceasefire and an interference with international freedom of navigation." Regarding the understanding with the United States, Baqaei added: "The exchange of messages continues, but no final agreement has been reached."

The Strait of Hormuz is closed to hostile vessels and military ships

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson continued, in response to a question about US President Donald Trump's remarks on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, saying: "Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the American side distorted reality from the beginning. Since February 28, 2026 (9 Esfand 1404 in the Iranian calendar), following the illegal and aggressive attack by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran, the Strait of Hormuz has been placed under special Iranian measures."

He added: "The Strait of Hormuz is closed to hostile vessels and military ships. However, during this period, commercial vessels have transited through this route with the coordination of the Islamic Republic of Iran." Regarding how the future management of the Strait of Hormuz will be shaped, he said it is a matter that concerns the coastal states of the strait — namely Iran and Oman.

Baqaei noted that the Strait of Hormuz is located within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman, and stated: "We are facing a special situation that we cannot ignore. Certainly, Iran and Oman, as two responsible countries, must adopt mechanisms that both preserve their own national interests and security as coastal states and reassure the international community that shipping through this route is conducted safely. This is a matter of course."

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson also responded to a question about whether nuclear issues are being raised in the negotiations, saying: "At this stage, our focus is on ending the war. Regarding the details of discussions related to enrichment or Iran's enriched uranium, we have nothing to say at this stage."