Iran refuses to honour MoU as long as US continues violations
Istanbul (ANTARA) - Iran has stated it will not fulfil its obligations under a memorandum of understanding with the United States, mediated by Pakistan, as long as Washington continues to violate the agreed commitments.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran’s stance remains anchored in the principle of ‘commitment for commitment’.
‘From the beginning we have said that this is a matter of commitment for commitment. If the other side (the United States) fulfils its commitments, we will also fulfil our commitments,’ Baqaei said during a press conference quoted by the semi-official Tasnim news agency on Monday.
‘No one can accuse the Islamic Republic of Iran of violating the agreement. In every case, our obligations and those of the other side are clear and demonstrable,’ he stated.
Baqaei accused Washington of violating various provisions of the memorandum of understanding on multiple grounds.
‘As long as the other side continues to violate its commitments, the Islamic Republic of Iran will also not fulfil the obligations it has undertaken,’ he said.
He warned that the memorandum of understanding has now entered a ‘crisis phase’.
Nevertheless, Baqaei stressed that diplomacy remains an instrument that can be used amid rising military tensions.
‘Diplomacy is an instrument that never stops. We will use all means to protect our national interests,’ he said.
He added that mediators must continue efforts to prevent an escalation of the conflict.
According to Baqaei, Iran has held meetings with Qatari and Omani officials in recent days and continues to maintain communication with Pakistan.
He also asserted that Iran does not attack its neighbouring countries.
‘We do not attack any country in the region and we will not attack them,’ he said.
Baqaei said Iran’s military actions only target bases, facilities, and locations used by the United States to launch attacks against Iran, including logistical and support facilities.
‘Any territory or part of any country used to attack the Islamic Republic of Iran will, in principle, become a target of Iran’s defensive measures,’ he stated.
The remarks were made amid heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington after the United States launched strikes on military targets and infrastructure in Iran in response to attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran subsequently retaliated by launching missiles and drones at US military facilities in several regional countries.
Tehran accuses Washington of repeatedly violating the memorandum of understanding agreed on 17 June, while US President Donald Trump later declared the agreement ‘has ended’.