Tehran:Iran has stated that it remains committed to negotiations, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei emphasizing that the nation has never abandoned the negotiating table. The spokesman accused the United States of insisting on unilateral demands and attempting to impose them.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Baqaei made these comments while speaking to German broadcaster ARD. He addressed several issues, including the security situation in the Strait of Hormuz and allegations concerning operations against air bases in Britain. Baqaei insisted that Iran has no connection to the operations allegedly carried out against British air bases.

Discussing the Strait of Hormuz, Baqaei declared the waterway unsafe, blaming the US and Israel for exploiting the region to conduct military attacks and unlawful acts of aggression against Iran. He stated that Iran would take necessary measures to protect its territorial integrity, national security, and people as long as the situation persisted.

The ongoing tensions escalated when the US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28, to which Tehran responded with attacks on US and Israeli assets. Although a ceasefire was reached in April and a peace deal was initiated in June, no resolution was achieved. Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz, including firing on vessels, have prompted US military considerations for renewed strikes.

Iran has proposed reopening the strait within a week if Washington meets specific conditions, including lifting the naval blockade, easing oil export restrictions, releasing frozen assets, and ending hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon.