Baghaei: Precondition for Entering Final Talks Is Implementation of Commitments in MoU

Tehran - BORNA - Esmaeil Baghaei, the spokesman for the Iranian negotiating team, stated regarding today's meeting between Iran and the US in Switzerland: "We are scheduled to have a one-day meeting today. The planning is such that in the morning we will have bilateral meetings with the Pakistani and Qatari delegations as mediators of this process, and in the afternoon, a quadrilateral meeting will be held between the delegations of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States with the presence of Qatar and Pakistan representatives."

Following Up on Implementation of Joint Understanding Is Our Main Discussion

He continued: "We signed the Islamabad memorandum of understanding document on June 18, and from the very first moments, following up on its implementation was on our agenda. The implementation of any document is more important than its signing. That is, the diplomatic process to reach a result and agree on a document is one issue, but the tremendously more important issue is following up on its implementation."

Baghaei added: "This meeting actually indicates Iran's seriousness in demanding the follow-up of the opposing side's commitments. We had no intention whatsoever to merely sign a document and expect it to be implemented automatically by the other side, and we can by no means cast past experiences out of our minds. With that description, this meeting is focused on following up on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding."

The spokesman for the Iranian negotiating team noted: "Let us keep in mind that Clause 13 of the memorandum of understanding is very explicit; meaning that the start of negotiations for a final agreement is conditional upon the implementation of five specific clauses, including Clause 1 of the MoU which addresses the cessation of war on all fronts, including Lebanon."

He continued: "We know that this clause has not been implemented. The US has been unable or unwilling; for whatever reason, the Israeli regime continues to violate commitments in Lebanon, which will be the main topic of discussion in today's talks."

Frozen Assets and Oil Sale Permits Pursued in Talks

Baghaei added: "Simultaneously, some other clauses require a series of preliminary or executive actions, which will also be pursued; especially the issue of making Iran's frozen or restricted assets accessible, as well as the discussion related to issuing the necessary licenses for the sale of Iranian oil."

He emphasized: "These are topics that have been under discussion since before, meaning from the time when negotiations regarding the original text of the understanding document were underway. Now we must see the result of those discussions to be sure that those clauses will also be effectively implemented in practice."

Exchanging Messages Moment by Moment Through Mediators

In response to a question about what the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran expects from this meeting and what the mechanism of the quadrilateral meeting will be, Baghaei stated: "The exchange of messages continues continuously. In any case, to ensure the implementation of the memorandum of understanding, we are continuously and moment by moment exchanging messages through the mediators."

He added: "This meeting will be in such a way that separate sessions will be held with the mediators in the morning, and a quadrilateral session will be held in the afternoon, meaning that the delegations of all four countries will be present in one room."

Most Important Precondition for Starting Next Talks Is Implementing Five Clauses

Regarding Iran's expectations from this meeting, the spokesman for the Iranian negotiating team also said: "As for what our expectation from this meeting will be, I refer to the philosophy of holding this session. The main reason for holding this session is to ensure the implementation of the opposing side's commitments. In this very first step, we must make sure that the necessary preconditions for starting the final agreement negotiations are met, and the most important precondition is the implementation of those same five clauses I mentioned. The implementation of these five clauses must begin, and we must be sure that it continues."

Baghaei noted: "In the first stage, Clause 1 is raised. Clause 1 addresses the cessation of war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and this clause is a key clause and very important to us."

He said: "We have to see which direction the talks will take by the afternoon, but our goal is to remain focused on ensuring the implementation of the opposing side's commitments according to the June 18 memorandum of understanding."

Talks Are One-Day

Emphasizing that the meeting with mediators is not ceremonial and is important, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman noted: "I do not think the talks will continue beyond today, and currently the planning is for a one-day dialogue."

Fragile Halt of Attacks on Southern Lebanon Product of Field and Diplomacy Collaboration

Pointing to the instructions of the Israeli regime's officials to halt the invasion of southern Lebanon, he stated: "Yesterday, a fragile halt was created, which was the product of close cooperation between the diplomatic apparatus and the field, and this cooperation continues."

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman once again pointed to the goals of holding this meeting and Iran's emphasis on the issue of ending the war in Lebanon and the Israeli regime's occupation in this region, saying: "Our principle is commitment for commitment."

News Regarding Re-signing MoU Incorrect

Baghaei also called the published news claiming that the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the US will be signed once again today incorrect.

End Article