In a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Thursday, Araqchi appreciated Russia's responsible decision to oppose the illogical and one-sided resolution proposed by the United States in the United Nations Security Council regarding regional developments, assessing this action as effective in preventing the escalation of tensions.
Referring to Iran's responsible approach in accepting a ceasefire, Araqchi emphasized the US' responsibility to fulfill its commitment to stop the war in all regions, including Lebanon.
On the latest status of the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian foreign minister said, “Safe passage through this waterway will be possible based on instructions and in coordination with Iran's Armed Forces, through designated routes and with adherence to existing technical measures, provided that the American side commits to its obligations.”
For his part, the Russian foreign minister welcomed the halt to military aggression against Iran, emphasizing his country's support for efforts to end the war and restore lasting stability and security across the entire region.
Lavrov also referred to the joint cooperation between Iran and Russia within UNESCO to condemn US and Israeli military attacks on historical and religious sites, including St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Tehran.
The US and the Israeli regime launched a large-scale unprovoked military campaign against Iran following the assassination of then Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, along with several senior military commanders and civilians on February 28.
In retaliation, Iranian Armed Forces launched attacks on American and Israeli positions in the region, demonstrating their capability to strike back effectively. Despite initial expectations by the attackers of a swift victory, the Iranian response proved significantly more potent, inflicting heavy damage on US and Israeli military resources while rallying the nation's unity and resistance.
While the US president had issued an ultimatum, Pakistani mediation facilitated an agreement for a two-week ceasefire during which negotiations would take place in Islamabad. Iran has proposed a ten-point plan as the foundation for discussions, seeking terms such as the withdrawal of US forces from the region, lifting sanctions, and establishing control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The Supreme National Security Council of Iran emphasized on April 8 that the aggression led to a historic victory for Iran, compelling the US to accept negotiation terms, including a plan for guaranteed non-aggression and the cessation of hostilities.
Iran has stressed that the negotiations would not signify an end to the conflict but rather an extension of the battlefield into diplomatic efforts, with a clear stance of distrust towards the US.