"US arbitrary interpretations only deepen distrust among Iranians"

Remarks appear aimed at Trump's claim Iran agreed to IAEA inspections

"A promise for a promise — the original MOU text must be honored"

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei speaks during an interview in Tehran on June 5 (local time). [Reuters]
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei speaks during an interview in Tehran on June 5 (local time). [Reuters]

By Seo Ji-yeon, The Herald Business

Iran urged the United States to stop offering arbitrary interpretations of a ceasefire memorandum of understanding, saying American officials have been making contradictory statements about the agreement.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei issued a statement Wednesday, saying that "contradictory statements by US officials surrounding the war-ending MOU do nothing to reduce the deep distrust of Iranians — they only serve as a reminder of past instances in which the United States broke its promises," according to state broadcaster IRIB.

Baghaei added that "the US ruling establishment must keep firmly in mind that the principle of 'a promise for a promise' requires the fulfillment of mutual obligations," and urged Washington to "refrain from arbitrary interpretations that are entirely at odds with the original text of the MOU."

He also said the US ruling establishment "has never once shown sincerity in its treatment of the Iranian people," but added that "Iran, despite this distrust, has engaged in the diplomatic process in good faith and signed the MOU to end the imposed war."

The remarks came amid a widening divergence between Washington and Tehran over nuclear inspections, frozen assets and missiles following the signing of the ceasefire MOU.

US President Donald Trump recently said Iran had agreed to allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to inspect its nuclear facilities for an extended period, and that unfrozen Iranian funds would be used to purchase American food and medicine.

Iran has pushed back, saying its nuclear program was not discussed in follow-up negotiations in Switzerland and that it never agreed to resume IAEA inspections. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the previous day that "missiles were not included in the MOU with the United States and will not be subject to negotiations in the future."


sjy@heraldcorp.com