Iran’s Overseas Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi attends a ceremony the place Iran’s Overseas Ministry and Well being Ministry signal a memorandum of understanding MoU on cooperation in rebuilding infrastructure broken throughout the conflict in Tehran, Iran, Aug. 11, 2026.
Xinhua Information Company | Xinhua Information Company | Getty Pictures
Iran’s Overseas Ministry on Friday referred to as on “all international locations” to not implement U.S. sanctions towards Tehran, warning that doing so would signify “complicity” in imposing the “unlawful will” of the USA.
The feedback had been specified by a two-page letter published through Telegram, because the nation set its situations for reopening the strategically very important Strait of Hormuz and touted the prospect of a return to diplomatic negotiations.
The White Home introduced an “economic D-Day” campaign towards Tehran earlier within the week, threatening international locations that do enterprise with the Islamic Republic and shifting its focus from navy motion to financial stress after six months of conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump made clear on Thursday that Washington will not be speaking with Iran, telling reporters within the Oval Workplace: “We do not wish to converse to them. We’re not seeking to meet or something.”
Iran’s international minister, Abbas Araghchi, nevertheless, said through X on Friday that “placing diplomacy again on monitor is not unimaginable.”
Araghchi stated that following “inventive discussions” with Qatari officers on Thursday to reopen a protected transit route by means of the strait, the potential for renewed negotiations with Washington “hinges on U.S. understanding of 1 easy reality: stress does not work.”
He added, “The U.S. ought to construct belief, converse respectfully, acknowledge our rights, and uphold commitments.”
Oil costs traded barely decrease on Friday as vitality market contributors continued to carefully monitor crude flows by means of the Strait of Hormuz.
Worldwide benchmark Brent crude futures with October supply dipped 0.1% to $89.63 per barrel, whereas U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures with October supply fell 0.5% to $83.11.
Tehran: Lebanon, Gaza and Syrian conflicts should stop
In an interview Thursday, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme Nationwide Safety Council, informed Lebanese media outlet Al Manar TV that any understanding on the Strait of Hormuz with the U.S. will embody an finish to wars and navy operations in Lebanon, Gaza and Syria.
He added that the battle within the Gaza Strip has to finish, whereas demanding that Israel withdraw from Lebanon and halt assaults on Syria.
Rezaei stated that the Strait of Hormuz can’t be separated from the broader regional battle, including that the U.S. should “show its seriousness” in implementing these commitments “earlier than any new belief could possibly be established.”
U.S. Navy sailors work on the flight deck of the plane service USS George Washington because it transits the Arabian Sea to help U.S. navy operations within the conflict with Iran Aug. 20, 2026.
U.S. Navy | Through Reuters
Nonetheless, a return to diplomacy doesn’t appear imminent. The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the Trump administration has little interest in going again to the phrases of the memorandum of understanding it reached with Iran in June.
Citing folks acquainted with the matter, the Journal stated that Trump was now not within the June deal framework, and is as an alternative ready to see if his administration’s technique of pressuring Iran economically will work.
Non permanent aid
Iran is now permitting a “momentary and restricted” hall for ships to cross by means of the Hormuz Strait, and the way forward for maritime visitors will rely on developments in understandings with Washington, in keeping with Rezaei.
Earlier this week, Oman and Iran mentioned a proposal to determine a short lived joint delivery route by means of the Strait of Hormuz in addition to a mission to clear mines from the important thing oil export hall.
Nonetheless, a video posted on X late Thursday stateside by Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command credited U.S. forces for clearing the mines from the strait.
Centcom forces have helped facilitate the transit of roughly 1,500 industrial vessels and 750 million barrels of crude oil over the previous a number of months, Cooper stated. “At present, worldwide delivery lanes are open, and momentum is constructing.”
Nonetheless, the latest available Kpler data confirmed that solely 5 ships crossed Hormuz on Tuesday, a far cry from the roughly 130 ships a day that used to transit the essential waterway earlier than the conflict broke out in February.
