BAGHDAD, June 28, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's top diplomat warned Sunday that any

attempt to bypass the Strait of Hormuz routes agreed with the United States

would "increase tensions" in the Middle East, as the countries traded attacks

and accusations of violating a fragile ceasefire in the region.

During a visit to Iraqi capital Baghdad, Abbas Araghchi also called for the

establishment of a security framework with Gulf countries, with Tehran and

Washington accusing each other of violating the fragile truce that was meant

to end the Middle East war.

"Any attempt to adopt new or separate arrangements compared to what is

underway by the Islamic Republic of Iran, will only lead to more complicated

situations and delays in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and will

increase the tensions, as we witnessed in the past two nights," Araghchi told

a press conference.

Vessels have continued to use a non-Iranian-approved passage in the strategic

waterway, tracking platforms showed Friday.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said a day earlier that Oman and

the International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced the new corridor

without consulting Tehran, and warned vessels against using it.

Araghchi's warning came after the US military said it carried out new strikes

Saturday on multiple targets in Iran, in response to a fresh attack on a ship

transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran responded with launching strikes against US bases in the Gulf.

The recent clashes have tested the negotiating process meant to end a war

launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28.

Araghchi called on all parties to "adhere to the memorandum of understanding

and not to allow this MoU to deviate from its course."

Iran's top diplomat said that "we should reach a new framework that includes

all countries in the region and without the presence or interference of any

country from outside the region."

He welcomed Iraq's call to hold a meeting between the Gulf States, Iran and

Iraq, which was drawn into the Middle East war from the beginning.

Iraq is expected to hold on July 8 funeral processions for Iran's late

supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during attacks by the

US and Israel on the first day of the war.

BSS/AFP/SSS/1636 hrs