Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas have met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to explore diplomatic prospects, end the war against Iran and restore unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Writing on the X platform after the discussions, Kallas said she discussed "diplomatic prospects for ending the US-Iran war and fully re-opening the Strait of Hormuz" with the Iranian top diplomat.
"There were no tolls or fees for passage before the war, and there should be none after the war. Navigation must be free and unimpeded, both in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait," Kallas said.
Regional crises
Following his session with Kallas, Araghchi held separate talks with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who confirmed in a post on X that both sides reviewed "negotiations for the reopening of Hormuz."
Tajani said a memorandum reached in June demonstrated that a diplomatic accord was achievable, adding that Rome will continue supporting efforts to restore freedom of navigation through the waterway and end the conflict.
"With Araghchi, we also addressed the crises in Lebanon and Yemen, which are crucial for our exports to ensure the passage of merchant ships through the Bab al Mandab Strait as well," Tajani stated, noting that he "encouraged Iran to exercise its influence to promote political and diplomatic solutions that bring peace and stability to the region."
The meetings come amid intensifying diplomatic negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical conduit for global commerce and energy shipments.
The US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28.
Iran responded with regional missile and drone attacks and effectively closed the waterway.
A preliminary agreement reached in June intended to secure a full peace deal within 60 days collapsed within weeks.
