Speaking at a virtual parliamentary session on Tuesday, Qalibaf said Iran is working, in line with the conditions and measures set by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei, to compel the US to respect the Iranian nation’s rights through a combination of diplomatic and military efforts.
“Until the US commitments in the (Islamabad) memorandum are implemented, the Strait (of Hormuz) will not be reopened,” he said.
Qalibaf specified that the commitments include lifting the blockade, releasing Iran’s frozen assets, removing sanctions on oil exports, ending threats and military operations on all fronts, as well as fulfilling other obligations stipulated in the MoU.
He said the opportunity created by the MoU, including the lifting of the blockade and the ceasefire, has helped Iran strengthen its economic resilience and rebuild its defensive capabilities. He added that the Islamic Republic is prepared to inflict an even heavier defeat on the enemy in proportion to any hostile action or aggression.
The Parliament speaker said the adversary accepted the MoU to end the war out of desperation but soon violated its commitments in an attempt to compensate in practice for its major political defeat.
He argued that the time has therefore come for military action to once again complement diplomacy and provide a practical response to the violation of commitments, stressing that the Iranian people would show no hesitation in pursuing their rights with unity, courage and rationality.
Qalibaf further warned that the enemy’s new strategy is focused on exerting economic pressure and undermining Iran’s domestic cohesion.