Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf affirmed Tehran’s commitment to implementing the terms and conditions of the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States, but at the same time stressed that any violation of the agreement or attempt to impose additional demands will be met with a strong response.
Qalibaf said that the task entrusted to him by the Iranian leader is to “seek to implement the terms and conditions of the memorandum of understanding with America,” stressing that Iran views the agreement as a framework that must be respected by all parties, according to what Reuters reported from Iranian media.
He added that his country “will not hesitate to respond forcefully if the other party violates its obligations,” warning against any attempts to change what was agreed upon or impose conditions that go beyond the provisions of the memorandum.
Qalibaf explained that Iran will continue to implement its obligations as long as the other party adheres to its pledges, considering that the success of the agreement depends on respecting its provisions and not seeking to impose new facts during the implementation and technical negotiations phase.
He pointed out that diplomacy represents one of the tools for defending Iranian interests, but it does not mean abandoning the elements of power and deterrence that the Islamic Republic possesses.
In a letter addressed to the Iranian Leader, the Speaker of Parliament affirmed the commitment of Iranian institutions to the directives drawn up for the next stage, considering that they represent the basis for managing the course of the agreement and negotiation with the United States.
Qalibaf also stressed that Iran will not allow any infringement on its rights or the rights of its allies in the region, adding that “negotiations are a path to obtaining rights and not a path to giving them up.”
He said that the real guarantee for implementing the memorandum of understanding does not lie in the written provisions only, but rather in Iran’s ability to protect its interests and respond to any transgressions, adding that “fingers will remain on the trigger” if the other party tries to evade its obligations or seek to achieve additional gains outside the framework of the agreement.
These statements come at a time when Tehran and Washington are preparing to launch the technical negotiations phase regarding the implementation of the memorandum of understanding, amid the continued state of mutual caution and lack of trust between the two sides despite the progress achieved in recent weeks.
Qalibaf’s statements reflect an Iranian attempt to combine confirmation of commitment to the diplomatic path and reassurance of the hard-line movement at home that Tehran will not hesitate to respond to any violation of the agreement or any additional pressure during the next stage.
