Araghchi’s Remarks Come As Fragile Iran-US Ceasefire Teeters, With Both Nations Trading Fire Over Vital Waterway
Tehran: Amidst fluctuations in the ceasefire, Iran has warned the United States and the United Arab Emirates against getting trapped in a “quagmire.” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, asserted that recent “incidents in [the Strait of] Hormuz have made it clear that there is no military solution to a political crisis.”
The Iranian minister also rejected US President Donald Trump’s “Project Freedom” proposal, which aimed to escort merchant vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz. He stated, “Project Freedom is Project Deadlock.”
Writing on X, he remarked, “The incidents in Hormuz have made it clear that there is no military solution to a political crisis. With Pakistan’s constructive efforts, dialogue is progressing; therefore, the US must be wary lest malevolent actors drag it back into a quagmire. The UAE should exercise similar caution.”
Araqchi’s comments came at a time when the ceasefire between Iran and the US was faltering, with both nations exchanging fire along this vital waterway. The United Arab Emirates also reported attacks for the first time since the declaration of a ceasefire approximately one month ago.
Trump’s Warning: Meanwhile, Trump has issued a warning that if Iran attacks US vessels escorting stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz, it will be “obliterated from the face of the earth.” This statement by Trump, made to Fox News, came just one day after he had announced an operation to extract stranded vessels from the Strait.
Trump also claimed that Iran had attacked certain vessels passing through Hormuz under the banner of ‘Project Freedom.’ On his Truth Social platform, he claimed that several ships in the Strait had been attacked—including a South Korean cargo vessel—which has been stranded since the outbreak of hostilities with Iran on February 28.
Trump stated, “Iran has targeted several nations regarding ship movements—specifically ‘Project Freedom’—including a South Korean cargo ship. Perhaps now is the time for South Korea to join this mission.”
The U.S. President noted that the American military has neutralized seven small boats and urged South Korea to join the mission in the Strait of Hormuz. The President further added, “We have taken out seven small boats—or, as they call them, ‘fast’ boats. That is all they have left. Aside from the South Korean ship, there have been no other casualties reported among vessels transiting the Strait at this time. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, will hold a press conference tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.”
Ceasefire Hangs in the Balance
Trump also told Fox News that U.S. military preparations in the region remain ongoing.
He remarked, “We possess more weapons and ammunition than ever before—and of the highest caliber.”
Trump asserted, “We have the finest equipment available. We have assets deployed across the entire globe. We maintain bases throughout the world, all of which are fully stocked with equipment. We can utilize all of these resources—and if the need arises, we will.”
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