Iran has rejected a military solution to its conflict with the United States, insisting that negotiations based on “justice and fairness” are the only way to end the war.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the remarks as indirect talks between Tehran and Washington appeared to have reached an impasse.
A sustained campaign of bombardment by the US and Israel failed to deliver a decisive end to the conflict, which began in late February. Washington has subsequently scaled back military operations while increasing economic pressure on Tehran.
The major dispute remains Iran’s efforts to restrict shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil and gas supplies.
“If our enemies again choose the path of military confrontation, our response will be stronger than before, and we will defend ourselves with even more force,” Araghchi said while addressing foreign ambassadors.
“There is no military solution, nor any solution based on new sanctions,” he added, saying the conflict could only be resolved through negotiations founded on fairness.
The two sides had agreed to a memorandum of understanding in June outlining a framework for a permanent settlement. However, Iranian attacks on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz led to a resumption of US military operations.
Iran has sought to control shipping through the strategic waterway since the beginning of the conflict, targeting vessels attempting to pass through without its authorisation.
The United States, meanwhile, has imposed a counterblockade on Iranian ports and has also attacked vessels it accuses of violating the restrictions.
On Sunday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz had been struck by an unknown projectile, damaging its engine room.
The crew was reported safe, with no environmental impact recorded. The agency did not disclose the vessel’s date of origin, destination or whether it was carrying oil or liquefied natural gas.
Iranian and US officials also held indirect talks on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly last week. Tehran said it presented seven conditions for reopening the strategic waterway.
Among its demands are a region-wide ceasefire, the unfreezing of Iranian assets held abroad, the lifting of sanctions on its oil sector and an end to the US naval blockade.
US President Donald Trump rejected the proposal but left open the possibility of further negotiations or a resumption of military operations.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Sunday that Washington had communicated its position on Tehran’s proposal and that Iranian officials were reviewing it.
