As another round of technical talks between Iran and the U.S. approaches, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf emphasized that the country will not permit U.S. intervention in the Strait of Hormuz.
During a meeting with He Wei, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress on Friday, Iran's chief negotiator added that Tehran has "agreed with Oman on a navigation mechanism in Hormuz based on Article Five of the Memorandum of Understanding" signed with the U.S. in June.
Furthermore, Ghalibaf highlighted that Iran is committed to implementing the Hormuz navigation mechanism and will consult with neighboring coastal countries.
Israel and the Memorandum of Understanding
In a different context, Ghalibaf told a visiting Lebanese delegation, representing Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri at Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral, that Israel aims to undermine the memorandum between Iran and the U.S.
However, he asserted that "Iran's deterrent capabilities in the region will prevent the resumption of war by Israelis" and stressed the importance of all Lebanese working towards implementing the memorandum’s clause pertaining to Lebanon to avoid turmoil.
The indirect talks held on Tuesday and Wednesday in Doha between Iran and the U.S. addressed the strait's management and frozen Iranian assets abroad.
Despite the Qatari and Pakistani mediators' claims of positive discussions focused on the memorandum, no significant progress was made.
Several Iranian officials reiterated that Hormuz must only be managed by the littoral states, namely Iran and Oman.
Informed sources revealed that Washington warned Tehran that insisting on controlling this vital waterway and imposing tolls might derail negotiations. America reportedly attempted to persuade Iran to drop this demand in exchange for the benefits of lifted U.S. sanctions and the unhindered export of Iranian oil.