Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, stated on Monday that a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran has reached a "crisis stage." The spokesperson cited alleged U.S. violations of its commitments as the reason for Iran's non-compliance with certain points of the agreement, according to a report by the official Islamic Republic News Agency.
Baghaei clarified that recent talks in Oman were exclusively focused on the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to establish a mechanism for ensuring the safe passage of ships. He claimed that no agreement was reached due to "overt and covert pressure from the U.S. on Oman."
He asserted that Iran is adhering to the Strait of Hormuz clause within the memorandum and reserves the right to take necessary measures to protect its security and national interests, alleging that the strait and surrounding areas have been "misused to harm Iran's security and national interests." The presence of U.S. warships escorting commercial vessels through the strait, according to Baghaei, underscores the U.S. commitment to perpetuating insecurity in the region.
Regarding ongoing attacks in neighboring countries, Baghaei defended Iran's actions, stating that the targets were "the bases, facilities, and positions used by the United States to attack Iran, including its logistical and support facilities."
Baghaei also dismissed the possibility of the International Atomic Energy Agency director, Rafael Grossi, accessing Iran's nuclear facilities, indicating that the scale and nature of Iran's nuclear program remain a significant issue in any potential peace settlement.
These statements follow President Donald Trump's announcement of "major combat operations" against Iran on February 28, involving joint U.S.-Israeli strikes.