Interim Deal First Step; No Nuclear Talks Without Its Implementation: Araghchi

Tehran (International Desk) Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the interim agreement is the first step, and if it is not implemented, nuclear negotiations will not take place. He said Iran is the victor of the war against the United States and has emerged stronger after the conflict. The memorandum of understanding has not yet been signed and changes are still possible, with nuclear issues to be discussed in later stages.
Araghchi said the announcement of the end of the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, will come under the interim agreement, and that ending the war in Lebanon means Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories. He added that adversaries such as Israel oppose the Iran-US agreement.
The foreign minister said lifting the US blockade and reopening the Strait of Hormuz are part of the interim agreement, US threats must stop, and Iran will not bow to pressure. He said management of the Strait of Hormuz will not return to the pre-war arrangement, though Iran will ensure the safe passage of ships through it. On uranium stockpiles, he said reducing enrichment levels to a lower threshold is the only solution, adding, “Our sword will always hang over the Strait of Hormuz.”
Earlier, in a social media statement, Araghchi said the Islamabad memorandum of understanding is very close to final approval, urged the media to avoid speculation about the negotiations, and said details would be shared with the public at the appropriate time with transparency.
Separately, the US Vice President said frozen Iranian funds will not be released merely on the basis of a meeting or signing of an agreement, that Iran would receive economic benefits under the proposed deal upon fulfilling its obligations, and that a great deal of misinformation is being spread about the proposed agreement.