Speaking in his weekly press briefing on Tuesday, Baqaei said that Doha discussions will focus solely on the implementation of certain clauses of the MoU, including the clause concerning the release of Iran’s frozen assets, adding that these consultations will be held with the Qatari side.
Baqaei reiterated that no meeting at any level with the American side is scheduled for the near future.
The spokesperson noted that the implementation of various clauses of the MoU, including Clause 11, is underway, expressing hope that the process of releasing the frozen assets and other necessary preparations will proceed appropriately and reach the desired outcome. This stance demonstrates that Iran, while pursuing its legal rights within the framework of the MoU, has kept the diplomatic path distinct from any speculation or unscheduled meetings with the American side, he added.
Baqaei outlined the conditions for a meeting between Iranian and the US officials, emphasizing that any meeting must have a clear purpose and necessity. If the goal is to begin negotiations on a final agreement, it is essential to initiate and consistently implement Clauses 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11 of the MoU previously referenced, he said.
Noting that the implementation of some of these clauses has already begun and is ongoing, Baqaei said, adding that Iran will assess the current process in the coming days. The outcome of this assessment will serve as the basis for deciding on the timing and format for starting negotiations on a final agreement, he added.
Baqaei said that this stance demonstrates that the Islamic Republic of Iran has tied the start of final negotiations to the full and sustained implementation of the other party’s commitments within the framework of the MoU and will not enter a new phase of talks before ensuring such compliance. The final decision on this matter has also been deferred pending an on-the-ground evaluation of the implementation process in the days ahead, he added.
Regarding Iran’s frozen assets, the spokesperson announced that negotiations on their release are progressing favorably, and an Iranian expert team will meet with Qatari counterparts in Doha tomorrow. He stressed the importance of Iran’s unrestricted access to these resources to meet its needs and purchase essential goods.
Referring to Clause 5 of the Islamabad MoU, Baqaei said that Iran is committed to making its best efforts to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa. This arrangement will be in effect for 60 days and is expected to be established within 30 days following the removal of technical and military obstacles, as well as demining operations, he said, emphasizing that Iran is fully capable of implementing this process independently, without the need for intervention from any other parties.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Baqaei explained the Iran-US communication mechanism, clarifying that the established line of communication is a political channel, not one between the two countries’ militaries. Based on the understanding reached at the Switzerland meeting, the responsibility for this communication lies with Iran’s Foreign Ministry on one side and a relevant official within the US political establishment on the other. Baqaei expressed hope that these arrangements would help facilitate the smoother implementation of the various parts of the MoU.
Further highlighting the importance of this political channel, he described it as a reflection of Iran’s responsible approach to implementing the MoU, stressing that its purpose is to facilitate processes and prevent potential misunderstandings in the field.
Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson also made Iran’s position clear, stating that the status of this waterway is defined by previous practices and the explicit commitment enshrined in Clause 5 of the MoU. He warned that the Islamic Republic of Iran will take whatever measures are necessary to safeguard its interests and implement the provisions of this clause, and will brook no delay in this regard.
IRNA