Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has said Tehran is committed to a peaceful end to its conflict with the United States and Israel but is “fully prepared to defend ourselves”, as indirect talks with Washington continue under heavy strain.

Araghchi made the remarks in an article published in the Financial Times on Wednesday. He said the White House has shown no willingness to reach an understanding and that there is little reason to expect progress. He also said Iran has no confidence in American intentions.

As evidence, he pointed to the US and Israeli attacks of June 2025 and February 2026, which he said came while negotiations were underway.

In a separate interview with Iraqi state television, Araghchi said talks are continuing through mediators, including Pakistan and Qatar. He said Iran put forward a “Seven Day Plan” that would see the Strait of Hormuz fully reopened on the sixth day, and that the Americans accepted its conditions but wanted to add provisions of their own.

He demanded that Washington first honour the memorandum of understanding previously signed in Islamabad, after which other issues could be negotiated. He insisted the strait would stay closed until an understanding is reached on its reopening.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a similar tone, saying the US cannot expect dialogue with Iran while it blockades and threatens the country. His comments came a day after Pakistan’s army chief visited Tehran to discuss mediation efforts.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said a peace deal with Iran is extremely difficult and that economic pressure will continue until Tehran stops attacking shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that an unknown projectile struck a tanker about 11 nautical miles west of Oman’s Bukha, near the strait.

A fire on board was put out and all crew members were safe. Oil prices have climbed past $110 a barrel.

The Financial Times also reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had planned strikes on Iranian nuclear and government sites, as well as energy infrastructure, for the weekend of October 10. According to the paper’s unnamed sources, President Donald Trump opposed restarting the fighting before the US midterm elections on November 3.

The war has also spread across the region. In Yemen, the Iran-backed Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia and on government-held areas, including a missile strike reported near Aden airport. Araghchi warned Egypt that any foreign intervention in the Yemen conflict would only make a resolution harder.