Iran’s Ghalibaf warns of readiness for escalation

Shafaq News- Tehran

Iran continues dialogue with the United States, but is prepared for confrontation if understandings are not implemented, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf stated on Tuesday.

Some parties are occasionally trying to sidestep Iran's rules in the Strait of Hormuz, Ghalibaf told Iranian media, and Tehran will not let that pass.

"Maritime restrictions are a form of war," he said, one that was only lifted through mutual understanding. That understanding, he noted, is now tied to a dialogue process meant to bring Article 13 of the memorandum into force.

He also pointed to Washington's commitments elsewhere: the United States, under the same agreement, had pledged to end the war in Lebanon and respect the country's sovereignty over its own territory. Iran, he said, intends to see those provisions carried through in full. “Talks are continuing to implement five conditions that must be applied immediately or at least begin implementation without delay.”

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry denied on Tuesday that a high-level meeting between the United States and Iran is scheduled, noting that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are in Doha for consultations with mediators on the progress of negotiations.