Iranian FM says 'no trust' in talks with US, declares Hormuz open to all nations 'except those waging war' on Tehran

Abbas Araghchi said ‘contradictory messages’ from Washington have hardened Tehran’s position

News Desk

MAY 15, 2026

https://thecradle.co/articles/iranian-fm-says-no-trust-in-talks-with-us-declares-hormuz-open-to-all-nations-except-those-waging-war-on-tehran

On 15 May, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait of Hormuz remains open to vessels except those “at war” with Tehran and stressed that Iran has “no trust” in the US regarding negotiations.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi during a BRICS foreign ministers meeting, Araghchi said Tehran would only negotiate with Washington if it proved “serious.” 

He described the situation in the Strait of Hormuz as “very complicated,” as both the US and Iran enforce competing restrictions on maritime traffic, with each side allowing or blocking vessels based on their ties to the opposing side. 

Pakistani-mediated talks have stalled after Tehran and Washington rejected each other’s latest proposals, with Araghchi saying “contradictory messages” from the US have made the process more difficult.

The Iranian foreign minister said Tehran is working to preserve the ceasefire “to give diplomacy a chance,” while remaining ready to resume fighting if attacked, identifying Iran’s nuclear program and authority over Hormuz as central points of contention in the talks.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump met in Beijing on 14 May, where both leaders called for more stable US–China ties and discussed Taiwan, trade, and the situation in West Asia.

Both sides agreed that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open for energy flows, as the waterway remains closed to Washington and Tel Aviv after their war on Iran.

Araghchi responded by welcoming the diplomatic push from Beijing, emphasizing their importance as a strategic partner, adding, “we know that the Chinese have good intentions.”

The Iranian foreign minister had previously emphasized in a post on X that “As far as we are concerned, the Strait of Hormuz is open for all commercial vessels,” and that “We have not made any obstacles. It is Americans who have made a blockade.” 

The US-Israeli war on Iran has brought shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to a near halt, even as Iran continues to allow some friendly countries to transit, including China, India, Russia, Iraq, and Pakistan.

Passage is conditional on coordination with Iranian naval forces, adherence to designated corridors, and the use of non-dollar currencies such as the Chinese yuan.