Kallas urges free passage through Strait of Hormuz after talks with Iran's FM

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, where the two discussed diplomatic routes to ending the war between the United States and Iran and fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on X after the meeting, Kallas said ships should not have to pay to pass through the strait once the conflict ends. She noted that no tolls or fees were charged before the war, and said navigation must be "free and unimpeded" in both Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea.

Kallas also said she had raised repression inside Iran with Araghchi, pointing to a sharp rise in executions and death sentences.

Kallas's meeting came as US and Iranian negotiators held indirect talks on the sidelines of the Assembly.

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner took part on the American side, and Araghchi led for Iran. Witkoff said the sides had "successfully completed a round of discussions," and another is expected soon.

Iran's parliament has approved rules to fine ships that cross the strait without authorisation, which runs against Kallas's call for toll-free passage.

Iranian-backed Houthi forces have also stepped up attacks on Saudi Arabia, opening a second front in the war that began in February.