Tehran seeks regional support as mediators push to keep talks going after intense flare-up

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a series of telephone calls Thursday with senior regional officials, including the foreign ministers of Oman, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, as well as Pakistan’s army chief, to discuss regional developments following an intense exchange of attacks with the U.S. this week.

The flare-up, sparked by Iranian strikes on several commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, appeared to ease by Thursday evening after the most intense rounds of U.S. strikes since the ceasefire was agreed in mid-June. 

In separate calls with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Araghchi discussed the latest regional developments, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz. 

All diplomats on the calls stressed the importance of using diplomatic channels, maintaining contacts and coordination, and working to prevent further escalation, according to the Iranian government’s description of the calls.

Araghchi also spoke with Pakistan’s Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, during which the Iranian minister strongly condemned “aggressive attacks by the U.S. military on various areas of Iran,” calling them violations of the ceasefire terms laid out in the memorandum of understanding.

Later Thursday, Araghchi held a phone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan to discuss regional developments following what Tehran described as U.S. aggressive actions, as Iran continued diplomatic engagement with neighboring countries amid heightened regional tensions.