The US State Department called on Iran to stop arming the Houthis, stressing that it stands with Saudi Arabia, rejecting the Houthi attacks on the Kingdom.
The US State Department stressed that the door to diplomacy is open between Washington and Tehran, stressing at the same time that the goal of the war has not changed, which is to reach a real and sustainable agreement that guarantees that Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon and addresses the threats to the security of the region.
The American position was stated by Carissa Gonzalez, the regional spokeswoman for the US State Department, in a special statement to Asharq Al-Awsat.
She said: “There is no alternative to Iran’s full compliance with its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and to full and transparent cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency.”
Plan to exit the war
Regarding a plan to exit the war with Iran through a diplomatic solution and moving negotiations forward, Gonzalez pointed out that President Trump made it clear during the United Nations General Assembly that there is momentum towards reaching an agreement, and pointed to a fruitful meeting held by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with mediators regarding Iran.
According to Gonzalez, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that the United States is open to any communication that could lead to a positive result, so the door to diplomacy is open, but the goal has not changed, so that a real and sustainable agreement is reached that guarantees that Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon and addresses the threats to the security of the region.
Gonzalez added that the success of diplomacy is not measured by the number of meetings, but rather by the decisions that Iran is prepared to take, indicating that the United States seeks a real and sustainable result that addresses the causes of instability, most notably ensuring that Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon.
Intensive consultations
She stressed the need not to use international sea lanes, especially the Strait of Hormuz, as a pressure card, and to confront activities that threaten the security of America’s partners and regional stability, explaining that the intensive consultations in New York will be an important opportunity to coordinate positions and support any diplomatic path capable of achieving these goals in a reliable and verifiable manner.
Regarding the talk of Major General Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of the Iranian National Security Council, about military readiness to confront any American attacks, Gonzalez explained that the United States takes any threat targeting its forces, citizens, interests, or partners seriously.
She added: “We will not engage in intelligence or operational assessments regarding what Iran describes as its military readiness, nor will we publicly discuss the details of our military plans. But the United States will continue to take the necessary measures to defend its forces and interests and protect its partners.”
The road ahead for Iran
At the same time, according to Gonzalez, mutual threats do not lead to a solution to this crisis, indicating that President Trump made clear that there is another path available to Iran by reaching an agreement, and expressed his openness to diplomacy, explaining that Tehran has a clear choice between exploiting this opportunity to address the fundamental issues that led to the crisis, and continuing the path of escalation that exacerbates instability and causes more harm to the region.
There is no way out for Iran
Regarding Tehran's preference not to abide by the nuclear non-proliferation, and thinking about possessing a nuclear weapon in the future if Washington does not respond to its demands, Gonzalez stressed that the United States' position is not based on theoretical statements or pledges, but rather on clear legal obligations and verifiable procedures.
She added, “The problem today is that the International Atomic Energy Agency has not been able for months to access the declared Iranian nuclear facilities in the required manner, and is no longer able to provide the necessary guarantees regarding the non-diversion of nuclear materials.”
In the latest report of the International Atomic Energy Agency, according to Gonzalez, the agency confirmed that it did not receive the necessary information regarding the status of declared nuclear materials and facilities, and was unable to conduct the required field verification activities, while the American position was clear that safeguards obligations are not optional and cannot be suspended unilaterally.
Gonzalez added: “Any talk about moving away from the Non-Proliferation Treaty goes in the exact opposite direction of what the international community needs today, which is more transparency, verification and commitment. The American goal remains clear: Iran must not possess a nuclear weapon.”
The US State Department's regional spokeswoman pointed out that President Trump made it clear at the United Nations General Assembly that the United States has reopened navigation channels in the Strait of Hormuz and is working to ensure the continued flow of energy through it.
Free shipping
She said, “Our position is clear: freedom of navigation in this vital international corridor should not be a bargaining chip, and we will continue to protect the movement of trade and energy, in parallel with continued economic pressure on the Iranian regime.”
Regarding issues related to sanctions, Iranian assets, or any other negotiating arrangements, Gonzalez said: “We will not negotiate them through the media or comment on the details of private diplomatic messages.” But these issues should not be confused with international freedom of navigation.”
She stressed that the continued obstruction of the Strait of Hormuz is harmful to the economies of the region and the global economy, and restoring safe and unrestricted freedom of movement through the Strait represents a common interest for the entire international community.
Regarding the arrival of the Iranian conditions, which Rezaei spoke about, to President Trump, Gonzalez said: “We will not go into the details of proposals or private diplomatic messages. But President Trump announced that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held a fruitful meeting with mediators regarding Iran, and said that there is momentum towards reaching an agreement.
She explained that the United States will evaluate any proposal on the basis of its content and the results it can achieve, most notably ensuring that Iran does not possess a nuclear weapon, protecting freedom of navigation, and addressing threats to the security of America’s partners and the stability of the region.
She added: “What matters to the United States in any proposal is its content, and whether it leads to a sustainable and verifiable result. Our priorities are known: preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, ensuring freedom of navigation and security in international sea lanes, and addressing Iranian behavior that destabilizes the region and threatens our partners.”
She added: “If there is a serious diplomatic path that can achieve real results in these files, we believe that it is important to give diplomacy a chance, but we will not negotiate with ourselves or announce the results of the negotiations before they take place.”
The Saudi-American military deal
Regarding the consequences of the US arms deal to Saudi Arabia regarding F-35 aircraft, anti-aircraft guns, and defenses that Washington promised Riyadh two weeks ago, Gonzalez said: “Indeed, on September 17, the US State Department announced its approval of a possible foreign military sale to Saudi Arabia.”
According to Gonzalez, the deal includes 48 F-35 fighter aircraft and associated equipment and services, with an estimated total value of $24.3 billion. Congress has been notified of the deal in accordance with established procedures under the Foreign Military Sales program, but there is currently no announced timeline for the delivery of the aircraft that we can share.
She added: “This proposed deal will contribute to enhancing the Kingdom’s ability to deter current and future threats, strengthen its defenses, and enhance interoperability with American forces, other regional forces, and NATO forces.” As for the timeline for delivering the aircraft or the details of any additional defense systems, we do not currently have any announced details that can be shared.
Regarding the American position on the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and the threat to navigation in Bab al-Mandab, Gonzalez said: “We condemn in the strongest terms the continuing attacks launched by the Houthis inside Yemen and against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” noting that Washington and its partners clearly expressed in the G7 their full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and the legitimate Yemeni government.
She added: “We call on the Houthis to immediately stop all military operations, threats and attacks targeting civilian navigation, and to return in good faith to the political track.” We also call on Iran to stop arming and supporting the Houthis, which support contributes to a dangerous pattern of escalation that threatens the security of the region, international trade, and global stability.
She added, “The threat to Bab al-Mandab does not concern only one country, as this strait is one of the most important arteries of international trade and navigation. Freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb is a fundamental interest of the United States and the international community, and we will continue to work with our partners to protect these passages. We cannot accept the use of missiles and drones or targeting civilian ships as a means to impose political or military goals.”
US-Houthi meetings
Regarding the merits of the US embassy’s meeting with the Houthis in the Sultanate of Oman and the news of it being leaked a few days ago, the US State Department’s regional spokeswoman refused to comment on that.
She said: “We will not comment on reports related to specific diplomatic meetings or contacts, but as the US administration has made clear, protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and preventing the spread of terrorism from the region represent fundamental interests for the United States.”
Gonzalez added, “The priorities of the United States in general are clear: protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, preventing the spread of terrorism from the region, reducing the risks of escalation, and protecting American interests.”
She stressed that the United States, along with its G7 partners, condemned the Houthi attacks in the strongest terms and called on them to stop all military operations, threats, and attacks on civilian ships and return to the political process in good faith.
