Iranian President Issues New Ultimatum to US in Presence of Xi Jinping and Putin

Iranian President Masoud Pehenskian has stated that Tehran is ready to respond if the United States fails to fulfil its commitments within the interim agreement reached between the two nations last June.

Pezeshkian made the statement during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek on Tuesday, following a period where Iran and the US have once again engaged in direct exchanges of attacks. The summit was attended by several world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I state clearly that if the United States returns to its commitments based on the Memorandum of Understanding, the Islamic Republic of Iran will respond immediately,” said Pezeshkian, as quoted by Iranian state media on Tuesday.

Pezeshkian was referring to the interim agreement signed by Tehran and Washington in June, which was an effort to halt the conflict that erupted following US and Israeli attacks on Iran on 28 February.

On several occasions, Iran has emphasised that such an agreement is one of the conditions for Tehran to guarantee free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. This strategic waterway is a vital route for global oil distribution.

Pezeshkian’s statement comes after the latest exchange of attacks between the two parties. The US reportedly attacked Larak Island, while Iran subsequently launched attacks against two US airbases in Jordan.

Despite the resurgence of tensions, Pezeshkian previously stated that war provides no advantage to any party. He also reaffirmed that Tehran remains open to a negotiated solution to resolve the conflict with Washington.

On the other hand, US President Donald Trump told Fox News that “there will be a response” to the Iranian attacks. However, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump stated that the latest attacks do not yet indicate a return to full-scale war.