US-Israeli War Keeps Hormuz on Edge as Talks Stall

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States on Monday of driving insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in Tehran for talks on the war and regional developments, as Araghchi blamed the US-Israeli strikes on Iran and the economic blockade.

“The war imposed by the United States and the Zionist regime (Israel), combined with the economic blockade, constitutes the principal source of insecurity in our region,” Araghchi said at a joint press conference with Lavrov. He had earlier referred to “the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.”

War and blockade

The Middle East war began in February, when the US and Israel struck Iran. A cease-fire followed in April, and a US-Iran memorandum of understanding came in June, but hostilities in and around Hormuz continued. Iran claims control of the strategic waterway, where one-fifth of the world’s hydrocarbons pass in normal times, and regularly targets vessels that cross without its authorization. Washington has kept a naval counter-blockade in place on Iranian ports.

Lavrov came from Bahrain on Monday, making his first visit to Iran since the war began. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said on Sunday the visit would focus on “regional and international developments.” The Russian Foreign Ministry said Lavrov was scheduled to meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and talk with Araghchi.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the talks were expected to cover “ways to resolve the acute international crisis triggered by the unlawful aggression of the US and Israel against Iran.” It said the war had damaged stability and security “not only in the near and Middle East, but also on a global scale.” Lavrov said Moscow’s efforts were “aimed at preventing the return of a large-scale war.” Talks between Tehran and Washington remained stalled.

Mediation and military warnings

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Pezeshkian in early October that Moscow stood ready to contribute to mediation. Russia and Iran rank among the world’s most heavily sanctioned nations. Their military and economic cooperation has grown since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Iranian military officials warned on Monday that any renewed US attack would draw a stronger response. Revolutionary Guards spokesman Hossein Mohebi said: “The US entered the war with all its might, and it is certainly not in a position now to start a new conflict that would bring it any new gains.” He said most US bases in the region were inactive and American forces had moved hundreds of kilometers away from Iran.

Revolutionary Guards deputy commander Mostafa Izadi said US naval forces had moved approximately 700 kilometers away to avoid Iranian missiles, according to the Guards-affiliated Fars news agency. Senior Guards adviser Mohammadreza Naghdi said Iran’s missile facilities survived heavy bombardment and its strategic stockpiles remained intact.

On Sunday, Araghchi said Iran’s seven-day proposal, first presented in September, remained on the table as Tehran reviewed Washington’s response. Under the plan, the Strait of Hormuz would reopen on the sixth day, and negotiations would start on the seventh if Washington accepted Iran’s conditions: lifting the US blockade on Iranian ports, removing sanctions on oil exports and ending hostilities across regional fronts. Washington wants significant reductions in uranium enrichment; Tehran wants initial talks to focus on restoring security and oil flows through the strait.

Regional tensions

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy said an oil tanker hit a naval mine south of Hormuz on Sunday, triggering an explosion and fire in its engine room. The Guards warned that vessels switching off navigation systems while transiting the waterway would be considered “hostile vessels.” UK Maritime Trade Operations separately said two unknown projectiles struck a southbound tug northeast of Khor Fakkan in the UAE, damaging it and causing one minor casualty. The tug continued on its route.

The Gulf Cooperation Council condemned continued Iranian missile and drone attacks against member states, demanded they stop immediately, and called for maritime security and freedom of navigation through Hormuz to be restored. At a meeting of its foreign ministers in Bahrain on Sunday, the council pushed for a diplomatic solution. It said any understandings with Tehran should address Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, drones and support for proxies, with GCC states involved in negotiations affecting their security.