Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed on Tuesday that he held discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi regarding negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by Anadolu. The talks occurred during the UN General Assembly in New York.
In a post on the social media platform X, Tajani stated that the two diplomats deliberated on mechanisms to resume navigation through the strategically critical waterway. He highlighted that a tentative agreement reached in June had underscored the potential for progress, emphasizing Italy’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at restoring freedom of passage and ending regional hostilities.
These discussions coincide with intensified diplomatic efforts to revive maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz, a pivotal artery for global energy and commercial shipping. The waterway was effectively closed following retaliatory actions by Iran after the U.S. and Israel launched military operations on February 28, which Tehran claims have caused significant casualties. In response, Iran deployed missile and drone strikes across the region, disrupting energy exports and supply chains. A prior agreement intended to finalize a peace deal within 60 days collapsed within weeks of its initiation.
During their meeting, Tajani and Araghchi also addressed crises in Lebanon and Yemen, underscoring the importance of securing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to facilitate uninterrupted export routes. The Italian minister encouraged Iran to exert influence toward diplomatic solutions that foster peace and regional stability.