Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on Saturday the United States has “no role whatsoever” in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that current priorities are focused on ending the imposed war on Iran and the region.
Responding to questions on whether a deal is near, Baqaei said the situation is “far, yet close,” adding that Iran’s experience with Washington shows a pattern of contradictory statements and repeated shifts in position.
Pakistan’s Mediation and Ongoing Exchanges
Baqaei said a Pakistani delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday evening, noting that Pakistan’s interior minister had already been present in the Iranian capital for several days. He asserted Islamabad’s role as a key mediator, facilitating continued message exchanges between Iran and the United States.
He said the current diplomatic track remains centered on ending the imposed war, based on the framework of Iran’s 14-point proposal, which has gone through multiple rounds of negotiations and revisions. Recent discussions, he added, have focused on disputed wording and proposals still under review.
Both 'very FAR' and 'very CLOSE' to deal with US — Iran MFA Spox Baqaei
— RT (@RT_com) May 23, 2026
'We’ve experienced contradictory statements from American side'
BUT 'moving toward closer alignment of views'https://t.co/n1TuM1LZY4 pic.twitter.com/gwi5eZGkP0
Strait of Hormuz: Regional Responsibility, Global Significance
Rejecting any US involvement in the Strait of Hormuz, Baqaei said the waterway lies within the sovereignty of Iran and Oman as coastal states and requires a dedicated bilateral mechanism in coordination with relevant international bodies.
He said Iran has held several rounds of talks with Oman and will continue consultations with other countries, given the strait’s importance to global maritime trade.
Baqaei added that the international community increasingly recognizes that insecurity in the waterway stems from what he described as US and Israeli actions, arguing that Iranian-Omani efforts to establish a structured mechanism would serve global shipping interests.
He stressed that Iran’s approach aims both to safeguard national security and ensure safe navigation through one of the world’s most strategic maritime corridors, calling on states that support free trade and maritime freedom to back such efforts.
Baqaei added that the issue forms part of broader discussions under a 14-point memorandum of understanding, while emphasizing that a more urgent concern is the maritime piracy and disruption of sea routes by the United States, which he said threatens international shipping and has affected vessels in international waters, including Iranian ships.
Nuclear File Deferred; Sanctions Remain Central Issue
On the nuclear file, Baqaei said Iran is not currently engaging in technical discussions, stressing that the immediate priority is ending hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon.
He said broader issues, including nuclear negotiations and related understandings, will be addressed in later stages under an agreed timeline, once the current framework is finalized.
Regarding sanctions, Baqaei said they remain a central issue in any dialogue with the United States, describing them as illegal and inhumane. While detailed negotiations are not currently underway, he reaffirmed that Iran’s demand for the full lifting of sanctions is a fixed and non-negotiable position already included in draft understandings.
He added that the release of frozen Iranian assets is also part of the framework under discussion and must be addressed from the outset, alongside nuclear-related arrangements, within the 14-point memorandum.
No Room for Threat Language
Rejecting reports of threats, Baqaei said: “Do not speak to us in the language of threats. No one would dare convey such messages to Iran.”
He praised Pakistan’s mediation efforts, saying Islamabad has played a constructive role in sustaining diplomatic channels and facilitating exchanges between Tehran and Washington.
Historical Context and Diplomatic Challenges
Baqaei said the process requires time, pointing to what he described as decades of hostility in US-Iran relations. He recalled the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement and the reimposition of sanctions, as well as past attacks on Iran during periods of negotiation.
He also referenced a recent 40-day period of aggressive war by the United States and “Israel,” arguing that such developments highlight the depth of mistrust and the difficulty of reaching a rapid resolution.
He said the shifting positions of one party, combined with a long record of broken commitments, make the mediators’ task particularly complex, explaining the frequent diplomatic exchanges and visits to Tehran as part of managing a highly sensitive and difficult negotiation process.
Source: Al-Manar Website