European countries join mediation efforts between Washington and Tehran

The Washington Post revealed new European diplomatic moves to break the deadlock in US-Iranian negotiations, as a ceasefire between the two sides nears its expiration on the 18th. According to the US newspaper, the administration of President Donald Trump has brought Austria and Greece into the ongoing communication track, as part of Washington’s efforts to expand the circle of countries that can help pressure Tehran to return to the negotiating table.

In this regard, the Washington Post noted that the United States recently held intensive contacts. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosted Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger in Washington last Tuesday, and made a phone call to his Greek counterpart, George Gerapetritis, the following day.

The same newspaper pointed out that immediately following these talks, the foreign ministers of Austria and Greece held phone conversations on Thursday with their Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.

The Associated Press agency confirmed that these communications took place. The Greek Foreign Ministry stated that Minister George Gerapetritis received a briefing from Araghchi on “regional developments, particularly the ongoing talks regarding the Strait of Hormuz,” emphasizing the importance of freedom of navigation and maritime security.

For its part, the Austrian Foreign Ministry offered to host any future talks on Iran, stating that Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger stressed to Araghchi the “urgent need to restore stability in the region through serious diplomatic efforts.” It affirmed that “there is no military solution, and the diplomatic solution remains possible,” adding that Austria’s priority is “protecting freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”

The Washington Post quoted a European diplomat, who wished to remain anonymous, as saying that the timing of these communications “was not a coincidence,” despite the US State Department’s confirmation the day before yesterday that Secretary Rubio had not asked either of his Austrian or Greek counterparts to communicate with Iran or convey messages to Araghchi.

Nevertheless, the US State Department acknowledged that the Iranian file was present in Rubio’s discussions with the two ministers.

According to the Washington Post, Austria and Greece may not be prominent choices to help resolve the US-Iran conflict. However, the Austrian capital, Vienna, hosts the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is expected to play a pivotal role in any settlement concerning Iran’s nuclear program, and previously hosted the final negotiations that led to the nuclear deal signed in 2015.

Greece, meanwhile, is a major maritime power in the Mediterranean with significant and active shipping interests in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. During his recent phone call with his Iranian counterpart, the Greek foreign minister focused on emphasizing the “importance of freedom of navigation and maritime security.”

Meanwhile, a White House official confirmed that President Trump was “joking” when he said he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz “US territory.” The Wall Street Journal quoted the unnamed official as saying that Trump made this statement “as a joke.”

During a political rally at a police academy in New York state the day before yesterday, Trump joked, “After we finish defeating Iran, which is getting a very harsh defeat, I will soon declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory. This is true.”

Yesterday, the US president posted an AI-generated image of an Iranian oil tanker, showing US forces taking control of it off the Iranian coast. Trump commented on his post via his platform, Truth Social, saying, “It’s our oil tanker now!”

In the published image, the US president is seen holding the American flag with both hands, raising it, with a soldier aiming a weapon at the oil tanker behind him. The Iranian flag is shown having been taken down from the tanker’s deck. In the background, a US aircraft carrier is visible in waters opposite Iran, near the Strait of Hormuz.

On the other hand, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran has not yet made any decision regarding the resumption of negotiations with the United States, noting that the memorandum of understanding signed between the two sides in late June stipulated “ending the war,” according to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.

Araghchi added that Qatar and Pakistan are playing a mediating role in exchanging messages and maintaining communication channels between the two sides, but this does not mean that direct or indirect negotiations are currently underway. He affirmed that Iran has not yet finalized its decision on returning to talks with Washington.

On another note, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi responded to the US president’s statement regarding his intention to declare the “Strait of Hormuz as part of US territory.”

Gharibabadi said in a statement: “The Strait of Hormuz cannot be seized by a tweet, an aircraft carrier, an executive order, or an election speech. Iran does not fear threats, nor is it intimidated by displays of force.”