Jeddah: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has clarified that closing the Strait of Hormuz is not Iran's official policy, emphasizing that Tehran is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Persian Gulf. Speaking in an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper during his visit to Jeddah for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) foreign ministers' meeting, Araghchi outlined Iran's position regarding the crucial waterway. According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Araghchi stated that Iran's official policy is aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the Persian Gulf, which is vital for global oil transportation. Highlighting Iran's role as a major oil producer and exporter, Araghchi stressed the importance of free navigation for all countries, given Iran's economic reliance on oil exports. The Foreign Minister also addressed regional tensions, pointing to recent developments in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and the Israeli-US actions against Iran. He asserted that these events have revealed to the reg ion the true adversary, identifying the "Zionist entity" as the primary threat seeking to weaken and divide the region. On the subject of nuclear negotiations, Araghchi reaffirmed Iran's openness to "fair and just talks" concerning its nuclear program. He mentioned ongoing discussions with key European nations-France, Britain, and Germany-and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to develop a new cooperative framework. While Iran is open to indirect talks with the United States, Araghchi ruled out direct negotiations unless the U.S. provides assurances against military actions during the dialogue process. Araghchi also reflected on the recent 12-day conflict imposed by Israel, stating that both Israel and the United States did not achieve their goals. He praised Iran's resilience and warned that any future aggression would be met with an even stronger response, citing the continued missile strikes on Israel as evidence of Iran's defensive capabilities.