Turin, 15 May (LaPresse) – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has attributed the difficulty in moving the negotiations forward to ‘contradictory messages’ coming from Washington. ‘We have already initiated contacts, but there are many problems along the way. The most significant problem is the contradictory messages we receive from the Americans through comments, interviews and differing positions,’ he said in a statement reported by the Iranian broadcaster Irib. Araghchi made it clear that Iran is not responsible for the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and that Tehran did not start the war, merely defending itself. The minister then reiterated Iran’s position that the Strait is now open to ships from “friendly countries”, provided they coordinate with the Iranian authorities, and is closed only to Iran’s “enemies”.