Arakchi: U.S. and Israel Bear Full Responsibility for Consequences of War
Arakchi voiced this firm stance during a significant meeting with South Korea’s special envoy, Chung Byung-ha, in Tehran on Thursday, April 23, 2026. According to a report by Al Jazeera, the Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed the statement, in which Arakchi clearly attributed the current regional instability and warfare to foreign intervention and external aggression in the Middle East.
Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent decision on April 21 to extend the unilateral ceasefire indefinitely to foster a climate for dialogue, diplomatic progress remains mired in uncertainty. Efforts to organize a second round of high-level talks between the U.S. and Iran in Islamabad appear to have stalled. A White House official confirmed that Vice President JD Vance will not be traveling to Pakistan for the proposed meeting. Simultaneously, Tehran has not provided any clear indication of sending a delegation, further complicating the prospects for a peaceful resolution and intensifying the diplomatic deadlock.
The diplomatic impasse is mirrored by surging tensions at sea. In response to the strict naval blockade imposed by the United States on Iranian maritime trade, Iran has reportedly fired warning shots to prevent vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz. As this vital waterway facilitates the transit of one-fifth of the world’s global energy supply, the current disruptions are severely impacting international oil and gas markets. With the Strait virtually inaccessible and peace talks reaching a standstill, global experts warn of a deepening energy crisis that could have far-reaching economic implications for both emerging markets and NATO-member nations.
