Iran's MFA Spox: No Choice But to Fight Back Against U.S. Aggression

Tehran - BORNA - In an exclusive interview with Sulaiman Ahmed, an independent British journalist and geopolitical analyst, published on the "Moral Resistance" YouTube channel, Baghaei underscored that no nation can be expected to fulfill its commitments unilaterally.

When asked whether Iran had revoked the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Baghaei replied: "We never initiated any violations. No commitment we have made—whether the JCPOA, which was violated by the United States, or this MoU—has ever been revoked by Iran. The United States violated this agreement."

He added: "From day one, we made it clear that commitment is met with commitment. Since the United States violated its obligations, Iran will not fulfill its commitments either, as this is a reciprocal action. We made it clear that as long as this violation continues, Iran will be unable to implement its commitments."

Focusing on Paragraph 5 of the MoU, which pertains to the Strait of Hormuz, Baghaei noted: "The text is 100% clear and transparent. Iran, in consultation with Oman and through dialogue with other regional nations, was to develop the necessary mechanisms for the future management of this waterway. We were in close contact with the Omanis even before signing this MoU."

"We also had a 30-day window to ensure the normalization of maritime traffic," Baghaei continued. "However, on the 21st or 22nd day after the signing of the MoU, the United States launched a military aggression against Iran. They did not even allow this 30-day period to conclude to ensure safe passage mechanisms were in place."

The spokesman stated that nothing in that paragraph permits the U.S. to chart a parallel course in the Strait of Hormuz. "What they did was cheat on their commitments by forcing ships to bypass Iran's coordinated, safe route," he said.

Baghaei highlighted that the Strait of Hormuz has only two coastal states: Iran and Oman. "During the war initiated by the U.S. on February 28, this waterway was exploited for military aggression against Iran," he noted. "Simultaneously, U.S. military bases in Gulf countries were used to facilitate attacks. As a coastal state, Iran is permitted under international law to take necessary measures to ensure this waterway is not misused by aggressors to harm our national interests."

Addressing U.S. threats and the targeting of civilian populations, the spokesman asserted that the entire U.S. campaign against Iran over the past 47 years has targeted civilians through unilateral sanctions, "maximum pressure" campaigns, and now military actions.

"They directly and deliberately targeted our civilians," Baghaei said, adding that sites like the Minab school and various cultural centers were struck by the U.S. and Israel. "This is why the Iranian people believe the issue is not just about the government or the Islamic Republic, but about Iran as a civilization."

He concluded: "Threats to attack our bridges, power grid, and reactors mean they are targeting an entire nation—which is an admission of genocide. In contrast, we have never targeted anything other than their military bases and assets scattered around us in the Gulf countries. We will defend ourselves with all our strength. We have no choice but to fight back."

End Item