Iran's foreign ministry spokesman: Strait of Hormuz 'main concern' of leadership

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, has said that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is the "main focus" of truce talks with Washington. Speaking at a news conference, Baghaei said that Tehran is "focusing on the strait foremost", and that its primary concern is "to reach a solution and to have peace and stability restored within this waterway". He added that, by contrast, Washington's strategy to end the conflict is focused on Iran's nuclear file. He told reporters that the return of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors has not been discussed by Iran's leadership. He noted that the peace process has been thwarted by the "volatility and fluctuation" of Washington's decision-making. “This is reflected in their conflicting statements as well as their fluctuating demands. This is a problem faced not only by Iran, but by all the countries dealing with the United States. These countries are openly complaining about the crisis,” said Baghaei said. Meanwhile, Tasnim news agency reports that Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said at a meeting with foreign ambassadors that there is "no military solution or any solution based on new sanctions" to the seven-month-long conflict. “If our enemies again choose the path of military confrontation, our response will be stronger than before, and we will defend ourselves with even more force,” Araghchi said. He added that Tehran is “serious about finding diplomatic solutions, just as we are serious about defending ourselves”.