"As I speak to you, the text of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding has probably been signed by the presidents of Iran and the United States," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baqaei announced
Announcing that the Iran-US Memorandum of Understanding was to be signed digitally, Baqaei said, "When the Memorandum of Understanding is signed by the presidents of the two countries, violating it will be more costly."
Signing ceremony will not be held in Switzerland
The spokesman underlined that the plan for the negotiating teams to be in Geneva is in place, but the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding will be digital and a signing ceremony will not be held in Switzerland.
The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson clarified: "The text of the Iran-US Memorandum of Understanding has now been officially finalized because both sides have signed it."
"Now if we review the text, we will see that we have not left anything unsaid during this period. We had more or less stated everything."
The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson emphasized: The Islamic Republic of Iran has shown that it will not leave its friends alone under any circumstances. The ceasefire and end of the war in Lebanon were and are as important to us as Iran. In the first paragraph of the memorandum of understanding, Lebanon's name is mentioned three times. Respect for the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Lebanon is mentioned.
Baqaei further noted that th fact that Iran has signed an agreement to end the war at this stage does not mean that we have forgotten the past and the lessons we have learned at great cost.
“Our work is now more difficult than before,” he said and added “because implementing international agreements is always much more difficult than drafting them. Especially regarding parties that do not adhere to their commitments.
“The diplomatic apparatus, backed by the comprehensive support of the people and trust in God, achieved a text that, in our opinion, secures the interests and benefits of the country. From now on, we must all be careful to act in implementation in a way that forces the other party to adhere to its commitments. This is very important.”
The Foreign Ministry spokesman stated that “Our work is not over, but has just begun”, and added, “We must both be careful about its implementation by the other side and negotiate on the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions.”
The text of the memorandum of understanding emphasizes that we will negotiate exclusively on the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions, he underlined.
The United States began lifting the blockade
Stating that the wise decision of the Islamic Republic was not to negotiate on the nuclear issue at this stage, the foreign ministry spokesman said, “The focus was to end the war and we did so. From the time the memorandum of understanding was implemented, which is now, we will negotiate on the nuclear issue and sanctions within 60 days.”
“The (naval) blockade was supposed to be lifted within 30 days and Iran, in return, would do the same regarding the Strait of Hormuz. However, after the developments related to the Zionist regime’s attack on Dahiyeh (southern suburb of Beirut) and the serious threats made by Iran, urgent negotiations were held and it was decided that the United States would fulfill its obligations immediately.”
He further noted that it was determined that Iranian ships entered and exited the ports without any problems, and this commitment (to lift the blockade) began. Our commitments will begin after the signing of this document.
Iran's missiles not for negotiation
Emphasizing that Iran does not want talk about Iran’s missile capabilities, Beqaei said, “Iran's missiles are only for firing, not for negotiation.”
“Iran's defense capability will not be discussed in any process or with any party.”
Management of Strait of Hormuz
As regards management of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, said Iran will receive a fee in exchange for services in the Strait of Hormuz.
“This mechanism and arrangements for managing the Strait of Hormuz are being formulated. We have started consultations with Oman for a long time and have talked with some other countries.”
“Safe navigation will be ensured by maintaining the sovereignty and sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.”
The Foreign Ministry spokesman clarified that the issue of the Strait of Hormuz is the responsibility of Iran and Oman.
“Only Iran and Oman are the two coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.”
Implementation of Commitments
The Iranian spokesman also noted that the implementation of Iran’s commitment is subject to the implementation of the commitment of the other party
“We will not miss any opportunity to document, pursue, and disclose the crimes committed against the Iranian nation. We will use every international mechanism, institution, and opportunity to achieve justice. These are outside the scope of this memorandum of understanding.”
Warning the US about lack of commitment to the implementation of commitments, Baqaei said, “We will monitor the implementation of the other party's commitments without any compromise. We will fulfill our commitments if the other side fulfills its commitment.”
Nuclear materials
Referring to Iran’s stance on its nuclear materials, Beqaei said, “We have said from the beginning that enriched nuclear materials will not be transferred outside Iran. Dilution of enriched materials is not a new option.”
“The unacceptable option for us is the transfer of enriched nuclear materials abroad.”
The text of the memorandum of understanding was signed in both Persian and English
The Foreign Ministry spokesman announced that the text of the memorandum of understanding was signed in two languages, and said, "This is an important issue. We emphasized that we should have the text in both Persian and English. This is the height of our transparency in information.”
Lifting of Iran's oil sanctions begins today
Also, the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman underlined that oil sanctions on Iran must be lifted, not on paper, but with all its requirements.
“Iran must be able to sell its oil, not have problems with transportation and insurance, and must receive benefits from oil sales. The lifting of the Iranian oil sanctions begins today and continues during the negotiations,” he reiterated.
He added that Iran did not negotiate only about the memorandum of understanding; and simultaneously with the text, Tehran negotiated separately about the release of Iran's frozen assets, the issue of reconstruction, and the lifting of oil sanctions.
Stating that Iran should be able to use its frozen assets whenever Tehran wants and use these assets for any purchase, Baqaei said, “Detailed negotiations have been held in this regard over the past two to three weeks. The United States is committed to removing all obstacles.”
“We have bitter experiences of America's breach of promise in the past years in the field of releasing the assets belonging to the Iranian nation. All these experiences were taken into consideration in the negotiations to ensure that this time America fulfills its commitment.”
Israeli Aggressions in Lebanon
The Foreign Ministry spokesman said if the Zionist regime's aggressions against Lebanon continue, it will be a violation of the other party's commitments in the MoU, and added, “We do not separate America and the Zionist regime of Israel, but their differences in methods and approaches are clearly evident.”
He underscored that the Zionist regime does not want to give the slightest chance to any diplomatic process. But it is America's responsibility to force the Zionist regime to respect America's commitments to Iran in this document.
Iran as a superpower
The Foreign Ministry spokesman also said that” Iran has defeated two nuclear powers that some other countries were also supporting.”
“It is not a slogan, but we are truly a superpower,” Baqaei added.