Iran says Israel is root cause of regional insecurity, links Hormuz to US decisions

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei Hamaneh said on Monday that the Zionist regime is the root cause of insecurity in the West Asia region, adding that the focus of rapid regional developments lies in the occupied Palestinian territory. Speaking at his weekly press briefing, he said more than 10 Palestinians were killed on the day and warned that the plight of displaced Palestinians has reached a catastrophic level as the cold season approaches, with temporary housing units not permitted for them.

Baghaei described the normalization of crimes and mass killings as a dangerous phenomenon and said the reduction of Palestinians to mere statistics shows that the international community bears responsibility for these atrocities and must take firm action. On Qatar's mediation and the outcome of consultations between Iran and the United States, he said the deputy foreign minister's visit to Doha was aimed at facilitating interactions between Iran and Qatar, and that discussions are ongoing. The issues are complex, he said, and the passage of time, given how events have unfolded, has added further layers of complexity.

He stressed that the exchange of messages between Iran and the US continues and that it is now up to the United States to make the final decision. "We have conveyed everything necessary to the American side in a reasonable manner," he said, adding that the fulfillment of Iran's demands is contingent upon the restoration of security in the region. He said Iran's insistence that its demands be met first is not merely a matter of national interest but a rational approach toward restoring security to the region and the Strait of Hormuz.

Regarding a letter from US Vice President J.D. Vance to Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Major General Mohsen Rezaei, Baghaei said that for Iran, US actions matter and nothing else. He said the United States has so far demonstrated not only a lack of initiative but also a tendency to undermine diplomatic initiatives. He added that the ball is in the US court and that Iran's demands have been clearly clarified. The Strait of Hormuz cannot be opened unless the blockade is lifted and Iran's demands are met, he said, adding that if that occurs, discussions regarding the continuation of the process may take place.

According to Mehr News, the briefing also covered regional developments and the status of mediation efforts, with the report noting that the item was being updated.