Araghchi: Return of the Strait of Hormuz to the pre-Esfand 9 status not possible

ParsToday – Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a meeting with Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, has described the current situation in the region and the Strait of Hormuz as the result of military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime, and emphasized that one cannot speak of a return to the pre-Esfand 9 (February 28) status without taking into account the existing realities and the crimes and damages inflicted upon Iran.

According to ParsToday, citing IRIB News Agency, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who had traveled to Tehran for consultations with senior Iranian officials on bilateral relations and regional developments, met and held talks with Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran's Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Thursday afternoon.

During the meeting, Iran's Foreign Minister welcomed the continued role-playing by regional and neighboring countries in helping to reduce tensions, and noted: "The current situation is exclusively the result of military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime, as well as the continuation of America's interventionist and illegal actions, particularly its naval blockade and economic terrorism against Iran."

Araghchi, referring to Iran's principled position on the necessity of strengthening trust among regional countries with the aim of establishing endogenous regional security mechanisms independent of external actors' interventions, recalled: "Achieving such a goal requires all regional countries to adhere to the principle of good neighborliness and to prevent the U.S. from using their territory and facilities to prepare and carry out aggressive actions and economic warfare against Iran."

He also referred to the insecurity imposed on the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the U.S.-Zionist military aggression against Iran, which unfortunately took place with the complicity and collaboration of some regional countries, and stated emphatically: "One cannot speak of a return to the pre-Esfand 9, 1404 status without taking into account the existing realities and the crimes and damages inflicted upon Iran."

Araghchi said: "Iran was acting in good faith to fulfill its commitments under the ceasefire agreement, including paragraph 5 of the agreement, when the United States, by breaching its pledges, disrupted the implementation process and recently, by announcing a new wave of economic terrorism, revealed its hostility toward the Iranian nation more than ever before."

He emphasized: "The Islamic Republic of Iran is determined and steadfast in pursuing its national interests and security, and will utilize all capacities to defend its national sovereignty and interests."

During the meeting, Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, referring to Doha's principled stance on protecting regional security and stability, stressed the importance of continuing consultations to reduce tensions and insecurity.