Qalibaf: Lebanon is Our Priority; No New Negotiations with America Before Full Compliance**
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**Qalibaf: Lebanon is Our Priority; No New Negotiations with America Before Full Compliance**
The Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament) of Iran, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, confirmed that Iran will not enter into any new negotiations with the United States before the full implementation of the terms of the existing memorandum of understanding (MoU). He emphasized that “the issue of Lebanon was our top and most important priority in the talks that were held.”
During an interview with Iranian state television, the head of the Iranian negotiating delegation stressed that Iran’s primary guarantee has never been and will never be the UN Security Council, but rather the power of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He asserted that “a strong battlefield presence, offensive capability, and missile power are non-negotiable.”
Qalibaf provided an overview of the latest developments regarding the Islamabad understanding and the Switzerland talks, stating: “What is currently happening between us and America is that we have signed this memorandum, and the mediators, namely Pakistan and Qatar, continue to play their facilitating role. We are also pursuing the dialogue phase to implement Article 13 of this memorandum.”
Qalibaf added: “What I mentioned relates to the events that took place along the coastal strip. It was a very geographically vast war; meaning a country the size of Iran, with this expanse, was engaged in an all-out war. From the far east to the far west, and from the far north to the far south, we were in a state of war—a land, sea, and air war, accompanied by internal and security threats; in other words, a comprehensive war. Furthermore, the resistance front is also expansive; from southern Lebanon to Yemen and Iraq, all were involved in this war.”
He continued: “Therefore, when this war ended and the ceasefire transitioned into the termination of the war, it is natural that issues, disputes, and incidents would arise along the path of implementation, especially in a place like the Zionist entity. In this memorandum, and in the commitment made by America in the first clause, it was emphasized that the war in Lebanon must end, no military operations are to be executed, people must return to their lands, and Lebanese national sovereignty must prevail over its territory. This is a great victory that must be realized.”
He said: “We are now actively following the implementation of this understanding. However, we occasionally witness some tensions at night, including attempts by some in the Strait of Hormuz, regarding transit, to take measures outside the agreement, contrary to the administration of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is responsible for this according to Article 5 of this memorandum. Naturally, the Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to implementing that agreement.”
Qalibaf stressed that “America is also bound to fulfill its commitments. If actions lead to a violation of the agreement, whether in maritime transit or any other action deemed a violation of the termination of the war and a breach of the memorandum, we will inevitably respond, and naturally, the other party may respond as well. The latest case was a few nights ago, when American headquarters in Bahrain and Kuwait were targeted, within the same framework. Part of these incidents is natural, and it shows that we are insistent on the memorandum.”
**Ready for War**
The head of the Iranian negotiating delegation, while explaining the progress of the memorandum’s implementation, confirmed that the current talks revolve around the execution of commitments, stressing that “Iran is ready for war if the other party does not fulfill its obligations.”
Qalibaf explained that “the Lebanon file is different because the Zionist entity occupied part of southern Lebanon militarily, and the military clashes in that area were intense. However, since the signing of the memorandum and the start of its implementation, the intensity of these clashes has significantly decreased, and I will provide more details on this.”
He said: “Another part of our measures relates to the field (military) and diplomatic arenas. On the diplomatic front, we are pursuing dialogue to achieve the five conditions that must either be implemented immediately or have their executive procedures initiated within the timeframe specified in the MoU. Our goal is to ensure that the implementation of these commitments progresses in a way that leads to their completion on schedule.”
Qalibaf stressed that “the situation on the ground and the diplomatic situation are being monitored precisely, around the clock, and with high sensitivity, to guarantee the implementation of these commitments clause by clause.”
The head of the Iranian negotiating delegation added: “During our visit to Switzerland, we went for dialogue—a dialogue aimed at realizing Article 13 of the memorandum, which relates to the implementation of Articles 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11 out of a total of 14 clauses in the MoU. These clauses must have either entered implementation or been completed.”
Qalibaf explained the difference between “dialogue” and “negotiations,” saying: “The difference between them is that the previous negotiations have concluded and were finalized in the form of the memorandum. Now, within the framework of that memorandum and the specified timeline, we are dialoguing and coordinating to implement the commitments. As long as these commitments are not met, we will not enter subsequent phases at all.”
Qalibaf continued: “Within this framework, we went to Zurich, and a four-way meeting was held in the presence of America and the two mediators, Qatar and Pakistan. All of these dialogues were aimed at following up on the implementation of the first phase of the memorandum, meaning the five signed clauses in the MoU.”
The head of the Iranian negotiating delegation pointed out that “negotiations, in the sense they carried over the past two or three months since Islamabad, coinciding with the start of the ceasefire and the commencement of negotiations, continued until the digital signature of the memorandum between the two presidents. After that, negotiations ended, and now, in accordance with the terms of that very memorandum, we are only dialoguing to implement its preliminary clauses. Until this phase is achieved, we will not enter subsequent phases.”
**The Lebanon Understanding is a Document of Defeat for America and the Zionist Entity**
Referring to the outcomes of his recent visit to Switzerland, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly said: “Our visit to Switzerland was within the framework of following up on the implementation of the understanding’s clauses. The initial decision was that, about a week after the signing of the memorandum by the two presidents, we would take steps for coordination and follow-up, but the conditions on the ground required this visit to take place sooner.”
Qalibaf added: “On the very Thursday the memorandum was signed, the Zionist entity, which strongly opposes this understanding, began extensive efforts to disrupt it. The reason for this opposition is that this memorandum is, in fact, a document of defeat for America and a document of defeat for the Zionist entity.”
The Parliament Speaker continued: “In the first clause of this memorandum, it was stipulated that Lebanon’s territorial sovereignty, based on its official and recognized borders, must be preserved, the war must end, military operations must cease, people must return to their homes, and the occupying forces must withdraw from the areas they occupied even after the ceasefire declaration.”
Qalibaf said: “On Thursday and Friday, the Zionist entity tried to obstruct the implementation of this memorandum by escalating attacks, destroying some key points, and causing casualties. Since America is also one of the guarantors of the implementation of this clause regarding Lebanon, it was necessary to follow up on this matter more rapidly; that is why we went to Switzerland on Sunday.”
**Our Priority in the Negotiations Was Lebanon**
The head of the Iranian negotiating delegation reiterated that his most important priority in the talks was the Lebanon file, noting that the conditions on the ground today are incomparable to what they were in the past.
Qalibaf said: “In the talks that took place, the issue of Lebanon was our top and most important priority, and after these consultations, the conditions on the ground today cannot be compared to the past under any circumstances.”
The Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly continued: “Although some incidents still occur, it has been decided to form a joint committee comprising Iran, America, and Lebanon to oversee the implementation of the war’s termination and the consolidation of Lebanese national sovereignty.”
Qalibaf added: “Just yesterday, we held talks with Mr. Nabih Berri. The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran has been appointed as our country’s representative on this committee, America has also designated its representative, and Lebanon is expected to present its representative soon to activate this mechanism.”
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