Tehran: Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, has stated that there is no discrepancy between the nation's diplomatic initiatives and military strategies, emphasizing that foreign policy decisions are fully synchronized with military authorities during times of conflict.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Gharibabadi elaborated in a televised interview on Tuesday evening that diplomacy must align with the realities of the battlefield when a nation faces military threats. While many conflicts eventually conclude through negotiations, he argued that diplomacy cannot function independently when national security is involved.
Discussing the Strait of Hormuz, Gharibabadi clarified that Iran has no intention of violating Oman's sovereignty, acknowledging Muscat as a friendly neighbor that has consistently opposed regional escalation. However, he stressed that the strategic waterway must not be used in a way that jeopardizes Iran's national security.
During a recent visit to Oman, the Iranian delegation proposed a temporary suspension of the southern shipping lane and suggested an alternative route developed in consultation with Iranian military commanders to ensure navigation safety and regional stability.
Gharibabadi criticized reports suggesting that Iranian officials traveled to Oman to negotiate unrestricted access through the Strait of Hormuz, labeling such claims as inaccurate. He highlighted that Iran's diplomatic team worked closely with senior military officials prior to the visit, and all foreign policy initiatives are coordinated with the country's Armed Forces.
Addressing recent US actions, Gharibabadi accused Washington of violating the Islamabad memorandum of understanding (MoU) by resuming military operations against Iran, asserting that the agreement had effectively collapsed. He affirmed that Iran would not commence new negotiations with the United States, maintaining that Tehran had not abandoned diplomacy and dismissing suggestions that military pressure could force Iran to seek talks or change its stance on the Strait of Hormuz.