New Delhi: Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday (May 5) sought to reassure India over the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, saying after talks with external affairs minister S. Jaishankar that Tehran would continue to ensure the safety of commerce through the vital energy corridor despite the ongoing regional conflict.“In fruitful engagement with my host @DrSJaishankar, discussed regional developments and clarified that Iran will always carry out historical duty as protector of security in Hormuz,” Araghchi wrote on X after the meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi. “Iran is a reliable partner of all friendly nations, who can rely on safety of commerce.”The remarks come amid heightened global concern over the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil trade passes, following the 40-day conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel.India, which imports a significant share of its crude oil from the Gulf region, has closely monitored disruptions to shipping and rising energy prices triggered by the conflict.At a press conference later in the day, Araghchi was asked specifically about Indian vessels still waiting near the strait and whether Tehran would facilitate their movement because of the impact on energy prices in India. There are still around 13 Indian-flagged ships waiting to transit through the waterway.He said the issue had figured prominently in his talks with Jaishankar. During a “lengthy meeting” with Jaishankar on Friday the two discussed “almost everything”, “including the Strait of Hormuz and the situation in the Persian Gulf region”, Araghchi said.Describing the situation in the strait as “very complicated”, he said Iran was trying to help ships move safely through the waterway. “We are trying to help ships to pass safely. Everything would go back to normal once the act of aggression is totally and completely ended,” he said.Araghchi also said Iran had already assisted a number of Indian vessels navigating the strait. “Those vessels who want to pass should obviously coordinate with our military because of the mines and obstacles which exist,” he said. “We will guide them to pass, as we have done for a number of Indian vessels.”He added that Iran and Oman, which share control over the Strait of Hormuz, were consulting on future arrangements to guarantee maritime security and the “safe passage of all vessels”.“As far as we are concerned, the Strait of Hormuz is open and all vessels can pass,” he said, while adding that vessels belonging to countries “in war with us” would face additional scrutiny.According to a readout issued by Iran’s foreign ministry, Araghchi briefed Jaishankar on “the latest developments following the 40-day war”, the “fragile ceasefire” currently in place and negotiations related to ending the conflict.The statement said the two ministers also exchanged views on maritime security, regional stability and developments in the Strait of Hormuz.Jaishankar, in a post on X, said he had held a “detailed conversation” with Araghchi on the situation in West Asia and its implications, besides discussing bilateral issues of mutual interest.The Iranian foreign minister also used the briefing to sharply criticise Washington, saying Tehran had been attacked by the US and Israel while negotiations were underway.“We are interested in negotiation, but only if the other side is serious and is in line of real negotiations,” he said.Araghchi described mistrust of the US as the biggest obstacle to diplomacy, citing both the collapse of the 2015 nuclear agreement and more recent talks that were followed by military action against Iran.“We cannot trust Americans at all,” he said.His remarks came amid ongoing indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington, facilitated through Omani mediation and diplomatic contacts involving Pakistan and other regional players.Araghchi also said Iran would welcome diplomatic help from China, pointing to Beijing’s role in restoring ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia in 2023.On the nuclear issue, he reiterated that Iran did not seek nuclear weapons and insisted Tehran’s programme remained peaceful, though he acknowledged that disagreements over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile remained a major sticking point in negotiations with the US.The comments came as the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting ended without a joint declaration, exposing divisions within the bloc over the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran and the broader regional crisis. India instead issued a “chair’s statement and outcome document” after members failed to reach consensus.