Iran: US had intentionally prepared ground for withdrawing from Islamabad MoU

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson denounces the United States for intentionally preparing the ground in advance for withdrawing from the memorandum of understanding that was reached between Tehran and Washington back in June.

Esmaeil Baghaei made the remarks during a televised interview on Saturday concerning the MoU that was reached with the aim of ending the cycle that had arisen out of the United States’ and the Israeli regime’s unprovoked aggression against the Islamic Republic from February 28 until April 7.

The United States turned its back on the understanding after accusing Iran’s Armed Forces of “targeting three ships.”

Baghaei rejected claims that the Armed Forces had violated the memorandum, saying there were essentially no verified details or substantiated evidence pointing to such development.

“Serious doubts have been raised about whether the incident occurred as claimed and about the manner in which it allegedly took place,” he stated.

According to the official, it was, therefore, actually the US, which “as its first step, declared the understanding terminated, reinstated its [illegal] maritime blockade [against Iran], and violated all of its commitments” under the understanding.

“Washington had prepared the ground in advance to manufacture a pretext to withdraw from an understanding that did not serve its interests.”

Baghaei stressed that even if a violation had occurred, the understanding had provided mechanisms for consultation and review.

‘Continued US pressure prevents return to regional normalcy’

Despite the US’s withdrawal, Iran continues to insist on removal of Washington’s illegal sanctions and blockade against the Islamic Republic, the official said.

“Iran’s demand for the complete lifting of sanctions and the cessation of the maritime blockade remains in force,” he said.

The US’s continued application of the instruments of pressure amounts to continued aggression, “and until these conditions are met, it will not be possible to speak of an end to the confrontation or the normalization of conditions in the region,” Baghaei asserted.

Pakistani minister’s visit, Iran-Oman understanding

The official rejected speculation that Pakistan’s interior minister, due to visit Tehran, would carry a specific US message or proposal, saying the visit was part of ongoing bilateral discussions and would follow up previous consultations between Tehran and Islamabad.

He then turned to an understanding that has been reached between Iran and Oman concerning maritime movement through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The two countries spent weeks determining coordinates for a safe commercial shipping route, he said.

“The understanding reached between Iran and Oman, as the two littoral states of the Strait of Hormuz, should be viewed and respected by all regional and extra-regional actors as a genuine opportunity.”

Baghaei said the arrangement could provide a basis for broader regional confidence-building.

The Islamic Republic has, however, conditioned implementation of the understanding on cessation of the United States’ violations against the Islamic Republic.

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