BAGHDAD, Sunday, June 28, 2026 (WNP): Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Sunday said responsibility for reopening the Strait of Hormuz rests solely with the Islamic Republic of Iran, urging all parties to respect Tehran’s management of the strategic waterway in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached between Iran and the United States.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein in Baghdad, Araghchi said Iran would restore the Strait of Hormuz to its normal operational capacity after removing the obstacles created during the recent conflict.
“Based on the Memorandum of Understanding, the Strait of Hormuz, under the management that Iran will adopt, will return to its pre-war capacity within 30 days after the obstacles are removed by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.
Referring to recent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz that heightened tensions with United States forces, the Iranian foreign minister called on all parties to refrain from interfering in Iran’s arrangements for reopening the vital maritime corridor.
“I ask all parties not to interfere in the issue of managing the Strait of Hormuz and the arrangements adopted by the Islamic Republic of Iran for reopening the Strait, to adhere to the signed Memorandum of Understanding, and not to allow this agreement to deviate from its intended course,” Araghchi said.
Expressing appreciation to Iraq for hosting the visit, Araghchi said he and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein held comprehensive discussions covering bilateral relations and the latest regional developments.
He described Iran-Iraq relations as strategic and of exceptional importance, reaffirming Tehran’s determination to further strengthen cooperation with Baghdad through continued high-level engagement.
The Iranian foreign minister also said the first clause of the Memorandum of Understanding requires an end to hostilities across all fronts, including Lebanon.
Araghchi praised the resilience of the Iranian people during the recent conflict and subsequent developments.
He also criticized Israel’s continued military operations, saying that under commitments contained in the Memorandum of Understanding, the United States bears responsibility for ensuring an end to Israeli attacks, facilitating the cessation of hostilities in Lebanon and supporting withdrawal from occupied territories in accordance with the agreement.
Earlier in the day, Araghchi arrived in Baghdad at the head of a political delegation. Upon arrival, he paid tribute to former commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi resistance commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis at the memorial site near Baghdad International Airport.
During his visit, Araghchi also met Iraqi President Nizar Amidi, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, National Security Advisor Qasim al-Aboudi and Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Ihsan al-Awadi.
According to Iranian officials, the visit also aims to coordinate arrangements for funeral ceremonies for the late Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in Baghdad, Kadhimiya, Karbala and Najaf, where millions of Iraqis are expected to participate.
