Iran-US understanding to focus on ending war: Spokesman

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei stated on Saturday that any potential understanding with the United States would be limited to ending the US-Israeli aggression against Iran, and would not address Iran's nuclear program. He made the remarks amid reports that Iran and the US were close to signing an initial agreement to end the conflict that began in late February and was halted by a fragile ceasefire in early April.

Speaking at a news briefing in the western city of Hamedan, Baghaei said, "We should wait for the exact time of signing. We have no plans for trips to Geneva or other places for the next two days," responding to reports that a signing ceremony could be held on Sunday in Geneva or Islamabad. He emphasized caution, stating, "Our duty is to pursue this diplomatic process with pessimism. The experience of a year and a half of negotiations with the American side, along with their broken promises and crimes during previous talks, requires us to take every step cautiously and with great foresight."

Baghaei reiterated that the potential understanding would not constitute a final bilateral treaty but rather an outline of disputed issues and terms for ending the war. He explained that the nuclear issue would be negotiated within a subsequent 60-day window, with no detailed discussions at this stage. Among the primary subjects under negotiation are hostile actions targeting Iranian shipping and matters concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Baghaei maintained that under international law, the waterway falls within the territorial waters of Iran and Oman as the two littoral states. He argued that Iran's exercise of sovereignty in the zone serves its national security and sovereign rights, recognized under international law. He noted that although Iran is not a signatory to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the legal regime governing vessel transit is defined under customary international law. He stated that the US and Israel have exploited the waterway to threaten Iran's national security, justifying Iran's preventive measures, which are compliant with international law and domestic legislation.

When questioned about enforcement, Baghaei criticized the opposing side's historical failure to fulfill obligations, stating that commitments are structured on a strictly reciprocal basis. Should the opposing side refuse to execute its duties, Iran is legally permitted to take corresponding counteractions. He asserted that a nation's intrinsic power remains the ultimate guarantee in international relations, pointing to Iran's defense over the past 40 days as a clear message to its adversaries. Baghaei also cautioned domestic media against internalizing Western psychological warfare, dismissing reports of an imminent final deal or an aircraft carrying $3 billion as baseless fabrications. According to Mehr News Agency, the spokesman emphasized the complexity of issues between Tehran and Washington and the need for cautious diplomacy.