“Only Iran & Oman Decide” Tehran Draws Red Line Over Hormuz

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed direct exchanges with US envoy Steve Witkoff during the ongoing war but drew a sharp distinction between communication and diplomacy. On an exclusive interview on Al Jazeera, he said “I receive messages from Witkoff directly, as before, and this does not mean that we are in negotiations,” he said.

He reinforced that position by stating: “There is no truth to the claim of negotiations with any party in Iran.”

The remarks come despite mediation efforts involving Oman and recent regional meetings hosted by Pakistan, including talks with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Türkiye over the past weekend.

Iran’s refusal to frame contacts as negotiations is anchored in past experience. Araghchi pointed to the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal during Donald Trump’s first term and two attacks during diplomacy windows - in June 2025 and again after February 28.

“We do not have any faith that negotiations with the US will yield any results. The trust level is at zero,” he said, adding: “We don’t see honesty.”

Officials told Al Jazeera that Pakistan has facilitated recent exchanges, while its foreign minister also traveled to Beijing on Tuesday to seek Chinese backing.

Araghchi framed the Strait of Hormuz - through which about 20 percent of global oil and gas flows in peacetime - as a sovereign matter for Iran and Oman after the war. He insisted the waterway remains selectively open.

“Only for the ships of those who are at war with us, this strait is closed,” he said.

He added that vessels from India, Pakistan, Türkiye and China have continued transit, while others have stayed away due to security risks and rising insurance costs.

As US troop deployments increase in the Gulf and reports point to contingency planning, Araghchi issued a direct warning on land conflict scenarios.

“We are waiting for them,” he said. “I don’t think they’d dare to do such a thing.”

He also emphasized preparedness: “We know very well how to defend ourselves. In a ground war, we can do it even better.”

The statements follow weeks of escalation since February 28, with military signaling now extending beyond air and maritime domains.