European officials meet Iran's Araghchi about Hormuz reopening, regional diplomacy

European officials held separate talks Tuesday with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, focusing on efforts to end the war and restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. "We discussed negotiations for the reopening of Hormuz," Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said in a post on US social media platform X. He said a memorandum reached in June had demonstrated that an agreement was possible, adding that Italy would continue supporting efforts to restore freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway and end the conflict. "With Araghchi, we also addressed the crises in Lebanon and Yemen, which are crucial for our exports to ensure the passage of merchant ships through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait as well," Tajani added. He “encouraged Iran to exercise its influence to promote political and diplomatic solutions that bring peace and stability to the region.” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, meanwhile, said she discussed with Araghchi “diplomatic prospects for ending the US-Iran war and fully re-opening the Strait of Hormuz.” "There were no tolls or fees for passage before the war, and there should be none after the war. Navigation must be free and unimpeded, both in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait," she wrote on X. The meetings come as diplomatic efforts intensify over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route for global energy and commercial shipping. ​​​​​​​The US and Israel launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28, which Tehran says killed thousands of people. Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route for energy supplies. The June agreement was meant to finalize a peace deal in 60 days but collapsed in a few weeks.