Iran's Araghchi Tells Austrian Counterpart 'US Economic Terrorism Must Stop'

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told his Austrian counterpart that what he described as "US economic terrorism" must come to an end, arguing that instability and disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz are a direct consequence of American and Israeli actions, Iran's Mehr News Agency reported.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, is one of the world's most critical routes for oil and gas shipments, and any perceived threat to security in the area draws close attention from global energy markets and shipping industries.

Araghchi's remarks reflect Tehran's longstanding position that U.S. sanctions, which it frequently characterizes as a form of economic warfare, are the primary driver of tension in the region rather than actions taken by Iran itself. Iranian officials have repeatedly called for the lifting of sanctions as a precondition for improved regional stability.

The comments came during an exchange with Iran's Austrian counterpart, though the Mehr News report did not provide additional detail on the broader agenda discussed between the two officials. Austria, as a European Union member state, has periodically served as a venue or intermediary for diplomatic contacts involving Iran, given the EU's continued, if strained, engagement with Tehran over its nuclear program and regional posture.

Tensions between Iran and the United States, as well as Israel, have remained elevated in recent years amid disputes over Iran's nuclear activities, its support for regional armed groups, and repeated incidents involving shipping and military assets in the Gulf region. Washington and Israel, for their part, have accused Iran of destabilizing behavior across the Middle East, a characterization Tehran rejects.

Neither the U.S. State Department nor Israeli officials had issued an immediate public response to Araghchi's remarks at the time of the Mehr News report.