Tehran (Web Desk): Iran said on Monday that it will not fulfill its obligations regarding the Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States (US) unless Washington begins honouring the commitments it had agreed to under the arrangement.
Addressing a press conference in Tehran, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Iran's approach has always been based on reciprocity, stressing that Tehran will not continue implementing its obligations if the United States fails to do the same.
“Each time the other party has failed to meet its obligations, we did not uphold ours. … We will continue to act in this manner,” Baghaei said, according to Al Jazeera.
He asserted that Iran has fully complied with every responsibility assigned to it under the memorandum of understanding reached with Washington.
“No one can accuse the Islamic Republic of Iran of violating its promises,” Esmail Baghaei said.
“In all cases, our obligations and those of the other party are clear, and it can be proven in a documented manner that the other party has violated various parts of this memorandum of understanding under various pretexts.”
Baghaei also reiterated that seeking justice over the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remains one of the Islamic Republic's core priorities.
“The government has a clear duty. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is part of this process,” he said.
“We will use all legal and international tools and opportunities at the international level to document their [US-Israeli] crimes and to pursue the implementation of justice,” Baghaei added.
He further disclosed that Iran has been working with Oman to establish a joint mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz, but claimed that pressure exerted by the United States on Muscat has delayed progress on the initiative.
The foreign ministry spokesman said Iran has participated in every round of negotiations with seriousness and careful consideration, while keeping the country's national interests at the forefront.
“Once an understanding has been reached, it has acted in good faith and seriousness in fulfilling its commitments,” Baghaei said.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has never been the first to violate its commitments,” the spokesperson said.
Baghaei added that Tehran remains in contact with mediators from Pakistan, Qatar and Oman as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing any further deterioration in tensions with the US.
“The role of the mediators is to continue their efforts to prevent an escalation of tensions,” said Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei.
The warning came against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington after the US carried out strikes on Iranian military and infrastructure sites in response to attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting US military facilities across the region, while accusing Washington of repeatedly breaching the June 17 understanding. US President Donald Trump later declared the memorandum “over.”