Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani announced that an Iranian negotiation team will travel to Switzerland to monitor the implementation of the memorandum of understanding reached with the United States.
Implementation of the Memorandum is a Condition
Kanaani stated that the start of negotiations for a final agreement depends on the fulfillment of the five articles of the memorandum of understanding. The spokesperson said, "This trip is being made to demand and monitor the fulfillment of the other party's obligations because the most important criterion in evaluating any memorandum is the implementation phase."
U.S. Obligations Not Yet Fulfilled
According to Article 13 of the memorandum of understanding, the start of final negotiations depends on the U.S. fulfilling its obligations based on Articles 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11. Kanaani stated that these conditions have not yet been met by the other party and that the trip is to clarify how these obligations will be fulfilled.
Ceasefire in Lebanon is a Fundamental Pillar
Kanaani emphasized that the first article of the memorandum is "ending the war on all fronts, including Lebanon," and that this is the fundamental pillar of mutual obligations. Stating that Iran has adhered to its commitments, the spokesperson said the U.S. is obligated to pressure Israel to declare a ceasefire in Lebanon, but by failing in this, it has clearly violated the memorandum.
Integrity of the Memorandum at Risk
Noting that the violation of the first article means the entire agreement is called into question, Kanaani warned, "If the other party does not take the necessary measures immediately, the entire memorandum will face a serious problem." Kanaani also repeated that steps have been taken regarding ending the maritime blockade and opening the Strait of Hormuz, but that the signed memorandum of understanding is a whole.
