Araqchi accuses Washington of obstructing diplomacy and safety of navigation

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While the conflict between the United States and Iran lingers without a diplomatic solution leading to an agreement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States of obstructing diplomacy.

Araqchi told Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi that America had obstructed diplomacy and caused insecurity of navigation, according to what the Iranian Foreign Ministry reported on Sunday.

Araqchi also expressed "his country's appreciation for the role of diplomacy in preventing the escalation of insecurity," as he put it.

This came in conjunction with the British Maritime Trade Operations Authority announcing today that it had received a report about an incident northeast of Khor Fakkan in the Emirates, where a tugboat that was sailing towards the south reported that it had been hit by projectiles of unknown origin. The Authority also added that the incident resulted in one minor injury, while the tugboat was damaged, indicating at the same time that it was continuing its journey on its course.

Similar incidents have occurred recently, especially in the Strait of Hormuz, where ships and tankers were subjected to collisions with sea mines planted by Iranian forces, which have repeatedly repeated their threats to ships since the outbreak of the war between Iran and America on February 28.

Since the outbreak of the conflict about 7 months ago, Iran has practically obstructed navigation in this vital waterway, through which a fifth of global oil and gas shipments previously passed.

While American forces imposed a stifling naval blockade on Iranian ports, and Washington escalated the “sword of sanctions” against Iran.

While diplomatic efforts have not yet reached a solution that would end the conflict and establish a final agreement between Tehran and Washington.