Qalibaf: The memorandum of understanding is a document of America’s defeat and Iran’s victory.

Iranian Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf asserted on Wednesday that the Americans were the ones who sought a ceasefire, noting that Iranian strength had prompted European countries to negotiate with Tehran regarding lifting sanctions.

Qalibaf said in an interview with Iranian television: “It was the enemy who was seeking a ceasefire and we did not accept it at the beginning,” noting that “within 24 hours, 3 rounds of negotiations were held on the text and 3 rounds of trilateral negotiations were held in the presence of the mediator.”

He added: “Iran’s strength has prompted three European countries to seek negotiations with Iran in order to lift the sanctions.”

He also pointed out that “any airport in any country from which enemy fighters took off has been targeted,” adding: “When the enemy’s logic is force, he must be disciplined, but when he comes to the negotiating table, he must be spoken to with distrust.”

Regarding the scope of the negotiations, Qalibaf pointed out that the delegation has directives from the leader of the revolution and its duty is to embody and implement those directives in these negotiations,” noting that “the issues raised now are ending the war, which has been declared, as well as lifting the siege, which has already been achieved.”

The head of the Iranian negotiating delegation, speaking about the Strait of Hormuz, stressed that the passage will never return to its pre-war conditions, noting that “the countries bordering the straits have rights and obligations under international law, including that others must pay for their services.” He concluded that “Iran has a sovereign right in the Strait of Hormuz and we will receive payment for the services.”

Regarding Iran’s frozen assets, Qalibaf stressed that Iran’s frozen funds must be placed in our accounts and at the disposal of the Central Bank.

In a related matter, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament stated that Article 6 of the Memorandum of Understanding allocated $300 billion for the reconstruction and economic development of Iran.

He continued: “Trump lifted the blockade in one night, whereas it was supposed to take 30 days. Some friends were worried about whether the blockade would be lifted after 30 days or not, but it was lifted within three days.”

Regarding Lebanon, Qalibaf said: “The ceasefire has expanded from the suburbs to include all of Lebanon.”

The Iranian parliament speaker stressed that “the most important guarantee for us is the strength of Iran and the unity of the people, not the Security Council resolution. We know that we are negotiating with an enemy that breaks promises and is not trustworthy.”

In conclusion, Qalibaf believes that the memorandum of understanding is a document of America’s defeat, and the people will see it and judge it, stressing that the memorandum is based on the principle of “step for step,” and he continued: “If America does not abide by its commitments, we will not take any step either.”

Likewise, Qalibaf warned against non-compliance with the terms of the document, saying: “In any place where the enemy does not abide by its commitments, our policy will be that the aggressor is the one who is wrong, but if it abides by its commitments, we will also abide by them,” adding: “If the enemy wants to betray us, we are men of the field, and the distance between diplomatic confrontation and military confrontation is not far for me, our hands are on the trigger. Whoever does not understand logic, we will make them understand logic by force.