According to Al Jazeera, Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stated that Iran's negotiation team is "bravely defending" the country's interests. Aref said, "The other side's position in the negotiations is unpredictable; sometimes pleading under pressure, and other times adopting a stubborn attitude." Aref also reiterated that Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz is crucial. "If we control the Strait of Hormuz, there is no need to wait for sanctions to be lifted; the sanctions will effectively become meaningless," he said. (Jin10)