Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said on Thursday that Tehran had never tried to block the Strait of Hormuz but warned its neighbours against putting themselves in a 'dangerous position'.

'We want peace and tranquility in the region, but some of the countries in our region, they want to direct other countries 12,000 miles away from this region. I repeat that Iran has never tried to hinder this important route,' Salehi, in Turkey on a visit, told Turkey's NTV broadcaster.

'I am calling to all countries in the region, please don't let yourselves be dragged into a dangerous position.'   

Salehi added the US should express it is open for negotiations with Tehran without conditions, referring to a letter Iran says it has received from the US government about the Strait of Hormuz situation. - Reuters