Iran calls for establishment of regional security mechanism 'away from external pressures'

Iran has called on regional countries to establish a regional security mechanism 'away from external pressures', asserting that regional security should rely on its own states. This was stated by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, commenting on Russian proposals regarding collective security in the Strait of Hormuz. On the nuclear file, Baghaei said the obstacle to progress in negotiations is 'excessive US demands'.

Iran has called on regional countries to establish a regional security mechanism 'away from external pressures', as stated by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei. The remarks were made during a press conference held by Baghaei in Tehran on Tuesday, commenting on proposals presented by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday regarding enhancing collective security mechanisms in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf. Baghaei affirmed that his country supports the principle that 'regional security should rely on its states, not on external parties that have shown their only concern is to ensure the security of an aggressive and expansionist party'. On the nuclear file, Baghaei said nuclear issues were not on the agenda of talks between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Russian counterpart on Monday in Tehran, and stated that Tehran is not currently conducting nuclear negotiations with the United States, considering that 'the obstacle to progress in negotiations is excessive US demands'. The statements come amid tensions between Iran and the United States regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.