United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that the ceasefire with Iran was made as a “favour” to Pakistan and at the request of other countries.
“We really did the ceasefire at the request of other nations, I would not have been in favour of it. We did it as a favour to Pakistan, they are terrific people, the field marshal, the prime minister,” he said while talking to reporters aboard Air Force One on his return trip from a state visit to China.
He also indicated that he could accept a 20-year halt to Iran’s nuclear activity while dismissing the latest proposal from Iran as “unacceptable”.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Pakistan’s mediation efforts regarding regional tensions had “not failed” but were currently facing difficulties. He added that Tehran would welcome any constructive role played by China to help ease the situation and support diplomatic progress.
Speaking at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi, Araghchi said Iran was attempting to preserve the current ceasefire in order to give diplomacy an opportunity to move forward. He added that Tehran has “no trust” in the US and is interested in negotiating with Washington only if it is serious. Iran is trying to keep the ceasefire to give diplomacy a chance, he told reporters during a press conference.
“The mediation process by Pakistan has not failed yet, but it is in a very difficult course, mostly because of the Americans’ behaviour and the mistrust which exists between us,” Araghchi said.
“Contradictory messages” have made us reluctant about the real intention of the Americans in negotiations, Araghchi added. He also acknowledged the impact of US sanctions on Tehran, saying Iran fully understood the consequences of the restrictions imposed by Washington.
In comments carried by Iran’s IRIB broadcaster, he said Iran is not to blame for disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, and that Tehran did not initiate the war and is only defending itself. He reiterated Iran’s position that the strait is now open to vessels of “friendly countries”, as long as they coordinate with Iranian officials, and only closed to Iran’s “enemies”.
Araghchi also confirmed he has spoken with Russian officials about Moscow’s offer to store Iran’s enriched uranium and expressed appreciation for the country’s “intention to help”. He said Iran plans to postpone the issue of its enriched uranium to later stages of negotiations with the US, but may consider Russia’s proposal at an appropriate time.
“When we come to that stage, obviously we will have more consultations with Russia and see if the Russian offer can help or not,” he said. “This is not something at the time being”.
Addressing concerns over maritime security, Araghchi described the situation around the Strait of Hormuz as “very complicated”, saying Iran was attempting to help maintain stability in the strategic waterway. He said all vessels would be allowed to pass through the strait except those belonging to countries “at war with Iran”, adding that ships seeking passage should coordinate with the Iranian navy.
Top diplomats from the BRICS bloc held fresh talks on the second day of meetings in New Delhi. The gathering comes amid the US-Israeli war with Iran, which began on February 28 but is currently paused under a fragile ceasefire.
India issued a chair’s statement at the conclusion of the annual BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting instead of a joint statement and said there were differing views among some members on the situation in the Middle East.
Araghchi also said he had “received messages” from the US saying it was willing to continue talks, and that he was open to any support, including from China.
“We received messages again from the Americans saying that they are willing to continue the talks and continue the interaction,” Araghchi told reporters.
“We appreciate any country who has the ability to help, particularly China,” Araghchi said.
“We have very good relations with China, we are strategic partners to each other, and we know that [the] Chinese have a good intention, so anything that can be done by them to help diplomacy would be welcomed by the Islamic republic,” he added.
China said it had been working to help end the conflict since it began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
“There is no point in continuing this conflict, which should not have happened in the first place,” China’s foreign ministry told AFP.
“To find an early way to resolve the situation is in the interest of not only the US and Iran, but also regional countries and the rest of the world.”