Gharibabadi Threatens US: 'Now It's Your Turn to Show Flexibility'

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, accused the US of violating its commitments under the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.

Iran's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, said that the United States violated the memorandum of understanding to end the war and should correct the situation. According to him, it is not Iran that should show flexibility. In a conversation with Ambassador Arjan, Gharibabadi said: "It is not Iran that should be flexible, it is not us who have violated the Islamabad Memorandum; The agreement and commitments made by the other party have been violated. Naturally, they should take compensatory measures to correct the situation and return to their obligations."

Shortly after the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, in which it was stipulated that the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened in accordance with Iran's arrangements and in exchange for the implementation of the other party's obligations, including the lifting of sanctions and the illegal maritime blockade of Iranian ports, Washington tried to divert ships through alternative routes, which was met with a decisive response from the Iranian armed forces.

The violation of these commitments by Washington led to another wave of conflicts between the two sides and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz again. Tehran has emphasized that the reopening of the strait depends on the implementation of Iran's demands to end the war.

The Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding provided a 60-day opportunity after its implementation for the two sides to negotiate on broader issues, including Iran's nuclear program, which was lost when its implementation was suspended in recent months. The exchange of messages has continued through Pakistani and Qatari mediators.

Iran's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs also told RIA Novosti that Iran is grateful to Russian President Vladimir Putin for his readiness to help resolve the conflict between Tehran and Washington. Gharibabadi's comments come after Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Sunday that Putin, in coordination with Iranian President Masoud Mezikian, conveyed Iran's views on a possible settlement of the conflict to US President Donald Trump.

Gharibabadi said: "Russia has always expressed its position clearly, and that is that this conflict that the United States has started must end and this aggression must stop. Also (Moscow) has always declared its readiness to work towards peace. We are grateful that the President of Russia has announced his readiness to (assist) in this field, considering the huge capacity of this country."