Iran said it will limit the free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, temporarily allowed under a ceasefire memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the United States, to 60 days. It signaled the possibility of applying a new passage system thereafter, including the imposition of tolls, raising the level of pressure on the US and the international community.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the parliamentary speaker who led Iran's ceasefire negotiating team, said in an interview on state TV Sunday that "under the ceasefire memorandum of understanding (MOU), free passage through the Strait of Hormuz is permitted for only 60 days."
He explained that "this is a measure taken in response to strong requests from regional countries and Persian Gulf coastal states," adding that the purpose is "to support the movement of vessels that were stranded along routes due to the strait's blockade during the war."
Ghalibaf also reiterated his existing position that the authority over passage through the Strait of Hormuz is a matter of Iran's sovereignty.
"Sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz belongs to Iran and Oman, and although consultations are held with Persian Gulf coastal states, passage must take place according to the methods and procedures decided solely by Iran," he said. "Since the Strait of Hormuz is Iran's territorial waters, we will not relinquish our rights to it under any circumstances."
"Negotiations With US Are Over"… Warns of Military Response If Agreement Violated
Ghalibaf also said that negotiations with the US are currently suspended. "Our negotiations with the US proceeded only until the signing of the memorandum of understanding, and there are no ongoing negotiations at present," he said. "The visit to Switzerland was also to discuss the implementation of the five MOU provisions, and we will not engage in further negotiations until the conditions of the memorandum are met."
Regarding recent tensions in the Persian Gulf area, he reaffirmed his position that Iran would respond militarily if a violation of the agreement occurs.
"We regard the incidents that have occurred in the Persian Gulf in recent days as violations of the ceasefire agreement and will respond firmly," he said, claiming that "in recent cases of ceasefire violations, US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait were targeted (by us)."
He warned, "We are sincerely committed to implementing the agreement," adding, "We are continuing dialogue, but if the other side does not keep its promises, we are ready to go to war."
Claims "Proof of US, Israeli Defeat"… Emphasizes Sanctions Relief Achievements
Ghalibaf claimed the ceasefire memorandum of understanding is a document demonstrating the defeat of the US and Israel, and also criticized Israel's military actions.
"The ceasefire memorandum of understanding is a document that proves the defeat of the US and Israel," he said. "The Zionist regime (Israel) opposes this, and after the signing, it carried out large-scale attacks on Lebanon and tried to occupy some key strongholds in order to scuttle the agreement."
He continued, "These circumstances led to the visit to Switzerland, where the core agenda we pursued at the time was a Lebanon ceasefire," claiming that "after the follow-up measures, the scale of attacks on Lebanon is now incomparably smaller than before."
He also mentioned achievements from the lifting of US sanctions. "During the US maritime blockade, we could not export even a single barrel of oil, but after the lifting of sanctions, we sold approximately 40 million barrels of crude oil," Ghalibaf said. "The lifting of sanctions was not an empty promise, and Iranian crude was sold at a 20% higher price, with the proceeds being deposited into accounts."
