Iran's Foreign Minister: Peace deal hinges on US 'contradictory stance'

TEHRAN - Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated on Friday 29 May that a final peace agreement hinges on the US halting its ‘maximalist approach and inconsistent, contradictory stance’. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s statement, Araghchi told Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi in a phone call that Iran remains steadfast in defending its ‘inalienable rights and legitimate interests’. Araghchi condemned the US’s threatening rhetoric towards Oman, stating that the ‘responsible measures’ taken by Iran and Oman in managing shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz are based on international law and align with the interests of the international community. The phone call came two days after US President Donald Trump, during a cabinet meeting attended by the media, stated that no country would have control over the Strait of Hormuz. ‘The Strait of Hormuz is international waters, and Oman must act like other countries or we will destroy them. If they understand that, they will be fine,’ Trump said. Separately, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned on Thursday 28 May in a social media post that the US would ‘aggressively’ impose sanctions on Oman if it assists Iran in establishing a toll system for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz since 28 February, when it banned safe passage for ships owned or affiliated with Israel and the US following a joint Israel-US attack on Iranian territory.