Araqchi made the remarks at a meeting in Tehran on Tuesday with Deputy Foreign Minister of Norway Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, who has traveled to Iran at the head of a diplomatic delegation for talks with Iranian officials.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed Iran-Norway bilateral relations, the US-Israeli war of aggression imposed against Iran, the security and economic consequences of the onslaught, as well as the latest status of the Islamabad negotiation process.
Araqchi described the excessive demands, threatening and provocative rhetoric of the American side, along with the lack of goodwill and honesty by Washington, as the main obstacle to the definitive end of the war and the achievement of a possible agreement.
He also said the main cause and source of the current situation in the Strait of Hormuz is the military aggression by the US and the Israeli regime against Iran, followed by repeated violations of the ceasefire and the continued naval blockade of Iran’s seaports.
Referring to Iran’s consultations on drafting executive arrangements to strengthen and facilitate safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in line with international law, Araqchi said Iran, as a littoral state of the strait, was engaged in consultations and discussions aimed at formulating regulations governing arrangements related to the waterway in accordance with international law.
Kravik, for his part, presented a report on his meetings and talks with Iranian Foreign Ministry officials, as well as his discussions with officials in Pakistan and Oman.
The Norwegian diplomat also stressed the need to establish lasting peace and stability in the region and to work toward safeguarding international law, while also expressing Norway’s readiness to assist and strengthen diplomacy and provide consultations on maritime safety and environmental protection.