By Sumayya
DUBAI: The Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until seven Iranian rules written in a June temporary pact with the US are met, Reuters reported on Sunday citing Iran’s Nournews, a few days after Tehran received Washington’s answer to its diplomatic plan.
The temporary deal, also known as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, was signed by the US and Iran in June following help from Pakistan after months of fighting.
It included a 60-day pause in fighting, the reopening of the blocked Strait of Hormuz, a schedule for a final deal on the war and Iran’s nuclear program, quickly letting Tehran sell its oil freely in a big step from Washington.
“The Americans, who say something different in the news, have recently put forward plans through a helper. But they must understand that the time of dragging out the process and demanding one-sided rules is over,” Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf was quoted as saying.
“The position of the Islamic Republic of Iran is completely clear and strong, and the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened until our seven rules, based on the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, are met.”
Tehran has kept its tight hold on the important Strait of Hormuz since the US started its war on Iran in late Feb., while Washington continues a counter-blockade of Iranian ports. Washington is also trying to choke Iran’s economy, putting out sanctions on groups with financial links to the Islamic republic in an effort to force it to give in.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said separately on Sunday that a plan put forward by Tehran to fix its fight with Washington could lead to the Strait of Hormuz reopening within seven days if accepted.
Speaking to foreign ambassadors and diplomats in Tehran, Araghchi said Iran had clearly explained its rules for reopening the strait and that they were linked to promises the United States would have to accept.
He added that Tehran hoped Washington would choose diplomacy but warned that Iran was ready to act if the United States again chose military action.
“If they again move toward military solutions, we are more ready than before and will take whatever action is needed to protect ourselves,” Araghchi said.
