Ghalibaf: Hormuz transit free for only 60 days

Tehran - BORNA - Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, in a televised interview on Tuesday night, elaborated on how the end of the war and the lifting of the naval blockade are being realized. He explained that the memorandum of understanding showed its first effects on the night of June 14, when Pakistan's Prime Minister announced the end of the war, followed immediately by Trump's tweet lifting the naval blockade. "The naval blockade was itself a violent and indescribable war. This blockade was lifted, and this was one of the great successes of this memorandum," he said.

Negotiations have ended; now implementing five key clauses

Ghalibaf explained that negotiations with the US have concluded and the 14-point memorandum has been approved. "We are now pursuing dialogue to realize Clause 13 of this memorandum. This clause oversees the implementation of Clauses 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11, which must either begin or be completed." He distinguished between dialogue and negotiation, stating that dialogue concerns matters already concluded under the memorandum, with a clear implementation timeline, while negotiation involved reaching the agreement itself. "Until these clauses are fully realized, we will not enter subsequent phases."

Political communication channel, not military

Ghalibaf emphasized that the communication channel between Iran and the United States regarding the Strait of Hormuz is political, not military. On Iran's side, the Foreign Ministry is responsible, and on the US side, one of the relevant officials in their political structure is responsible. This was one of the understandings reached during the Switzerland meeting and reflects Iran's responsible approach to implementing various parts of the memorandum.

The US is committed to ending the war in Lebanon

Referring to the memorandum of understanding, Ghalibaf stated that under Clause 1, the US has committed and guaranteed that the war in Lebanon will end, no military operations will be conducted, people will return to their lands, and Lebanon's national sovereignty will prevail over its territory. He described this as a major victory that must be achieved. "We are now pursuing its final implementation."

He noted that the Zionist regime strongly opposed this memorandum because it represents a document of US and Israeli defeat. "The regime tried everything to disrupt this memorandum because Clause 1 explicitly states that the war must end based on Lebanon's territorial sovereignty within its official borders, with no military operations, people returning to their homes, and the enemy withdrawing from occupied territories."

Events in the Persian Gulf constitute ceasefire violations

Ghalibaf said: "The events taking place in the Persian Gulf in recent nights constitute a violation of the ceasefire agreement, and we will definitely respond accordingly, and naturally the other side will also respond."

He noted that in the most recent ceasefire violation two nights ago, US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait were targeted, and the other side attacked Sirik. "This shows that we are serious about implementing the memorandum – we are simultaneously engaged in dialogue, and if they refuse to fulfill their commitments through dialogue, we are ready for war."

The situation in Lebanon is different

Ghalibaf noted that the situation in Lebanon is different because the Zionist regime has occupied parts of southern Lebanon, and military clashes there have been intense. "However, following the signing of the memorandum, attacks in southern Lebanon have significantly decreased."

Priority of Switzerland talks was Lebanon

Regarding the negotiations in Switzerland, Ghalibaf said: "The trip to Switzerland was to implement these clauses. The first priority in the talks was Lebanon." He explained that through Iran's pursuit, the situation today is incomparable to the past, and that the US must fulfill its commitments regarding Lebanon. The Iranian official stated that Iran and the US are guarantors of this part of the agreement. "We decided to form a joint committee with Iran, the US, and Lebanon to monitor the end of war and the establishment of Lebanon's national sovereignty. Iran's ambassador has been appointed as the representative."

Negotiation is a method of struggle

Ghalibaf addressed criticism about traveling to Switzerland despite Zionist regime actions in Lebanon, stating: "I have said many times that negotiation is a method of struggle. Even now that we are negotiating with the US, we are not negotiating with a friend. We are negotiating with a treacherous enemy that will act against us whenever it finds an opportunity. One who is prepared for war can negotiate well."

He noted that during the ceasefire, Iran launched missiles from its territory against the Zionist regime to defend Lebanon for the first time. "If they respond again, we will definitely respond. At the same time, we demand they fulfill their commitments under the memorandum."

Lebanon's agreement with Israel not accepted

Ghalibaf noted that after four or five rounds of negotiations between Lebanon and the Zionist regime in Washington, the parties reached a conclusion, but the Lebanese people do not accept it because it would allow Israel to return to Lebanon and place the Lebanese army in service of the regime. He emphasized that the Iran-US agreement places the implementation of affairs and security within Lebanon under the government and sovereignty of Lebanon itself.

Differences within the US administration

Ghalibaf acknowledged differences within the US administration: "Rubio is pursuing things one way, Vance another way. Rubio's actions in the Persian Gulf and Bahrain were all against the memorandum and against the Gulf countries." He noted that Rubio is pursuing the Washington memorandum, which would normalize relations between Lebanon and the Zionist regime, while the Iran-US memorandum preserves Lebanon's independence.

UN Security Council resolution not a guarantee

Regarding Clause 14, Ghalibaf said: "The experience of the JCPOA showed that even UN Security Council approval does not create executive guarantees. The JCPOA had a Security Council resolution, yet Trump abandoned it in 2016 and 2017. Did anyone say anything? When aggression against Iran occurred, not even a statement was issued by the UN."

Iran's missile capability not negotiable

Ghalibaf emphasized: "Iran's missile and offensive capabilities are not negotiable. This is one of our sources of pride."

Nuclear rights and red lines not negotiable

He added: "Iran is a member of the NPT and under IAEA supervision, and considers enrichment its right. NPT commitments will be observed, but nuclear rights and red lines are not negotiable. These are components of our power and guarantee against US excesses."

Action for action

Ghalibaf emphasized: "Our principle is action for action. Any action contrary to commitments by the other side will be met with Iran's reciprocal response. Wherever the language of logic and the memorandum does not work, the language of force is used. We hope the other side acts with logic, but where American logic is force, we respond with force."

40 million barrels of oil exported since blockade lifted

Ghalibaf revealed that since the naval blockade was lifted, Iran has exported over 40 million barrels of oil within 10 to 12 days. He compared this to the 50 to 60 days prior, during which not a single barrel was exported. "From the day the blockade was lifted until today, we have exported 40 million barrels of oil."

Oil sanctions waivers have been implemented

Regarding Clause 10 of the memorandum concerning oil waivers, Ghalibaf stated: "For the first time, the license appeared on the OFAC website last week. This means Iran can now sell oil and petrochemical products at international prices, with banking, insurance, and transportation processes fully operational."

He noted that previously Iran was forced to sell its oil at discounts, but now oil is being sold at international market prices. "The money will reach us in cash through the banking system. The problems with money transfers and intermediary involvement are gone."

$12 billion of frozen assets to be released

Ghalibaf explained that under the new understanding, Iran has a total of $24 billion in assets across various countries, of which $12 billion will be made available to the Central Bank. "The Central Bank will be able to purchase any goods it needs, in any currency, from anywhere in the world. The implementation process has begun, and banks are taking necessary actions, including opening letters of credit."

Purchase of grain from US farmers not true

Ghalibaf rejected reports that the released funds could only be used to purchase grain from US farmers. He clarified: "First, I don't even like to discuss these matters, but this $6 billion of ours is the same $6 billion that went to South Korea in 2023, was converted to dollars, then to euros, and came to Qatar. It was only allowed for humanitarian goods. But even that didn't happen."

The 60-day framework

Ghalibaf noted that implementation of the 14 clauses is set for 60 days, extendable by mutual agreement. The oil waiver will also be renewed every 60 days as negotiations continue.

Lebanon and Hormuz sovereignty

Ghalibaf emphasized that Iran's red line in Lebanon is the country's national sovereignty, and in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's management and sovereignty are definitive and certain. He said: "We will never compromise on this. These are our territorial waters, and their control is with us."

The Iranian official stressed: "We should not turn the Strait of Hormuz against ourselves. When the strait is valuable, it's when transit through it increases day by day. We must show the world that security in the Strait of Hormuz is safer than ever."

Message to critics

Addressing critics, Ghalibaf said: "If you have a political problem with me personally, why are you harming the nation? We are in a field where we are seeking the nation's rights. Don't let personal and political issues destroy the nation's rights."

Memorandum is a document of US defeat

Ghalibaf concluded: "This memorandum is a document of America's defeat. The US was forced to recognize the existence of the resistance front in Lebanon. The Zionist regime strongly opposed this memorandum because it is a document of US and Israeli defeat. Our goal has been to remove economic pressure from the people while preserving the country's dignity."

He emphasized: "Wherever necessary, we will fight, and wherever we can advance this memorandum through dialogue, we will pursue that path."

Second part of interview to be broadcast tomorrow

At the end of the televised interview, a subtitle announced that the second part of the interview would be broadcast the following day.

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