Iranian Envoy: US-Iran Talks to Continue if Naval Blockade is Lifted

Washington (ANTARA) - The next round of negotiations between the United States and Iran will take place soon after Washington lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports, said Iran’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, on Tuesday (21/4). “As soon as they (lift) this blockade, I think the next round of negotiations will take place in Islamabad,” Iravani told RT, adding that Iran has received “some signs” that the US is ready to lift the blockade. Meanwhile, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported on Tuesday (21/4) that Tehran’s decision to withdraw from talks with the US on Wednesday (22/4) is final. The Iranian negotiating delegation informed the US through Pakistan as mediator that for various reasons they would not participate in the meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday (22/4). The Iranian side also emphasised that there is no prospect of participating in further talks, the media report stated. On 13 April, the US Navy began blockading all maritime traffic both entering and leaving Iranian ports on both sides of the Strait of Hormuz—a sea route that supplies around 20 percent of the world’s oil, petroleum products, and LNG. Washington asserted that non-Iranian vessels are free to cross the Strait of Hormuz as long as they do not pay port fees to Tehran. Iranian authorities have not announced the imposition of port fees but have discussed such plans.