Islamabad MoU Crisis: Iran Blames US

Islamabad MoU in Crisis as Iran Says US ‘Gutted’ 14-Point Agreement

WebDesk

13 July, 2026 11:34

Islamabad MoU in Crisis as Iran Says US ‘Gutted’ 14-Point Agreement

Iran says its recently signed Islamabad memorandum with the US has entered a state of crisis after Washington violated its commitments, while also saying talks on a mechanism for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz have failed due to US pressure on Oman.

Speaking during a weekly press conference in Tehran, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei also warned that any territory used to launch attacks against Iran will face a response.

“Iran has never been the first to breach its obligations,” Baghaei said. “Iran has approached every negotiation seriously, with good faith and with its national interests in mind. The party that broke its commitments is the United States.”

He added that Washington “was so impatient” that it did not even allow the one-month period stipulated in Article Five regarding the Strait of Hormuz to expire before beginning to backtrack on its commitments.

“The Americans gutted the 14-point memorandum of understanding, stripping away its key provisions,” he said.

On June 17, Iran and the United States signed the MoU, which calls for a permanent end to hostilities across all fronts and includes a commitment from both sides to hold further talks on a final agreement within 60 days. Article 5 places responsibility for reopening and managing the Strait of Hormuz squarely in Iran’s hands.

Responding to US President Donald Trump’s claims that Iran had expressed satisfaction regarding the nuclear issue, Baghaei dismissed the remarks.

“Lying has become part of the United States’ pattern of behavior, and they have become addicted to it,” he said.

Baghaei said talks held on Saturday in Muscat focused solely on the Strait of Hormuz, with no discussions on Iran’s nuclear program.

“Our goal, in consultation with Oman, was to reach a mechanism to ensure the safe passage of ships,” he said. “However, due to pressure exerted on Oman, such a mechanism could not be achieved.”

He added that, as a coastal state, Iran has “the right to take the necessary measures to safeguard its national interests.”

“We will not allow the United States and the Israeli regime to use the Strait of Hormuz to harm Iran,” Baghaei said.

“That is why we insisted that the management of the Strait should remain with Iran, in consultation with Oman, to ensure both Iran’s interests and the safe passage of maritime traffic. Whatever has happened is the responsibility of the United States.”

Addressing regional security, Baghaei said Iran has not attacked and does not intend to attack any country in the region.

“Words must be used accurately,” he said, adding that Iran’s strikes are directed only at US bases and facilities used to carry out attacks against Iran.

He said Iran has repeatedly urged regional countries not to allow the United States and the Israeli regime to use their territory for attacks against Iran, describing this as a principle of international law and an obligation.

“We will not hesitate to defend ourselves,” Baghaei said. “Any part of the region that is used to carry out aggression against Iran will be subject to Iran’s defensive measures.”

Baghaei also said pursuing justice and the “blood revenge” for martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei remains “a serious principle and a nationwide demand,” stressing that Iran will use both international and domestic legal mechanisms to seek accountability.

“There is no doubt that seeking justice for those responsible for the crimes is a fundamental political, moral, and legal principle,” he said.

Ayatollah Khamenei was assassinated, alongside some of his family members, on February 28, the first day of the 40-day illegal war of terrorism waged by the United States and the Israeli regime against Iran.

Baghaei said pursuing justice and accountability for the martyred Leader, and all those murdered during the US and Israeli attacks, remains “a serious principle and a nationwide demand,” adding that Iran will use “all available international legal mechanisms” to seek justice.

Commenting on recent statements by US and Israeli officials, he said, “It is the height of audacity that those responsible for the deaths of thousands now portray themselves as victims. These displays will deceive no one and will not deter us from pursuing justice.”

Asked whether Iran had agreed to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s request for inspections, Baghaei gave a brief response: “No.”