Araghchi gives US reality check: There can only be mutual compliance | Al Mayadeen English Guest Post

Araghchi gives US reality check: There can only be mutual compliance | Al Mayadeen English https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/araghchi-gives-us-reality-check--there-can-only-be-mutual-co 7/11/26 Araghchi gives US reality check: There can only be mutual compliance image.png The United States has failed to uphold its obligations under the memorandum of understanding, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, asserting that Iran has honored its commitments while the US Treasury Secretary violated Paragraph 9 of the agreement. In a social media post on X, Araghchi said the breach by the US Treasury Secretary followed other violations and missteps by the United States. "There can only be mutual compliance," he stressed. Baghaei denies direct talks request On his part, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei denied reports claiming that Tehran had requested direct negotiations with the United States, while revealing that Iran had agreed to receive the international mediator in the Iranian capital to discuss current issues. Addressing US violations, Baghaei said Washington had blatantly breached the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two sides by launching military attacks on the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in addition to revoking the oil sanctions waiver and imposing new rounds of sanctions. This comes after US President Donald Trump claimed that Washington had agreed to hold talks with Iran "at its request." Iran's Araghchi will head to Oman for Strait of Hormuz talks Meanwhile, Araghchi will travel to Oman on Saturday at the head of a diplomatic delegation for an official visit focused on bilateral relations and regional developments, according to Iran's IRNA news agency. IRNA reported that Araghchi's discussions in Muscat will center on cooperation between the two countries and developments across the region, with particular emphasis on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. The visit comes as Iranian officials have repeatedly stated that navigation in the Strait of Hormuz should be managed exclusively by the littoral states, namely Iran and Oman, while maintaining that any reopening of the strategic waterway would take place under arrangements determined by the two countries. US meddling in the Strait of Hormuz Yesterday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran would not allow the United States to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz, adding that Iran would continue implementing its navigation mechanism in the waterway while consulting with other Gulf littoral states. Ahead of his visit, Araghchi held a series of phone calls on Thursday with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, during which he warned against any US military adventurism in the region. The diplomatic efforts follow recent US aggression on areas in southern Iran and military activity around the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran responded by launching strikes on US positions, bases, and strategic facilities across the Gulf. It is worth noting that Iran has repeatedly said that US military bases and economic assets in the Gulf region have been used to launch acts of aggression against Iran, including strikes that have resulted in civilian casualties. In this framing, any Iranian action targeting such facilities is a retaliation against hostile military activity originating from or enabled by those bases. Qatar steps up mediation efforts Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran have continued, with a Qatari delegation arriving in Tehran for direct discussions with Iranian officials, Reuters reported, citing a source familiar with the matter. The source said Doha's mediation efforts are being conducted in coordination with Washington, with talks focused on implementing the memorandum of understanding reached between Iran and the United States and addressing the disputes that triggered the latest escalation, particularly disagreements over maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The Qatari visit follows reports by CNN that Qatar and Pakistan had intensified efforts to revive US-Iran negotiations following the latest wave of military escalation. The diplomatic push comes after renewed US attacks on Iran, which Tehran stated were the most extensive military aggression since the June 17 memorandum of understanding. The strikes reportedly targeted several areas, including Chabahar Port, where maritime infrastructure was damaged. While US officials said the ceasefire had "at least temporarily" collapsed, President Donald Trump declared the memorandum "over" while indicating that talks could continue. Iranian officials have warned that any further aggression would trigger an immediate and broader response. Read more: Trump says Iran talks to continue but declares ceasefire over