Italy urges continued dialogue on Strait of Hormuz

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has emphasised the importance of dialogue regarding the Strait of Hormuz during a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Tajani stated that Araghchi provided an update on the negotiations between Iran and Oman aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. “I reaffirmed the importance of continuing dialogue to quickly reach a political solution to the crisis, prevent further escalation, and guarantee full freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz without tolls or restrictions,” Tajani wrote on the social media platform X on Wednesday. He also reiterated Italy’s commitment to playing a role in promoting dialogue, security, and peace in the Middle East. The negotiations follow a memorandum of understanding signed by Iran and the United States on 18 June to end the conflict that erupted on 28 February after US and Israeli strikes against Iran. Under the memorandum, Iran and Oman are tasked with negotiating new arrangements for commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, while broader discussions on implementing the agreement continue.