Shafaqna Pakistan: Saeed Ajorlou, a member of the media committee of Iran’s negotiating team, stated on Saturday that Tehran has not yet approved the final draft of the proposed agreement with the United States and may withdraw from the deal if the opposing side does not meet its obligations.
Speaking to Iranian state television, Ajorlou said that, to the best of his knowledge, the final text had not received approval by Friday night, though only a few differences between the two sides remained unresolved.
He noted that, should the final text be approved, the parties would begin a 60-day period of discussions focused on the agreement’s details. He added that each of the 14 articles in the agreement is accompanied by annexes that will require additional negotiations.
Ajorlou emphasized that the mechanisms for implementing the agreement would be more significant than the text itself, particularly with regard to access to Iranian assets and ensuring that the other side fulfills its commitments.
According to Ajorlou, the proposed agreement includes provisions allowing Iran to withdraw if commitments are not met.
He said Tehran could exit the deal if violations occur, including breaches of the ceasefire, failure to provide access to Iranian funds, or failure to lift a maritime blockade.
“If they do not lift the maritime blockade, we can leave the agreement. If they do not make those funds available to us, we can leave the agreement,” he said.
Ajorlou described the mechanism as a new form of “snapback” provision that would operate in Iran’s favor if the other side fails to uphold its obligations.
He added that any failure to implement commitments during the initial phase would prompt Tehran to reconsider participation in the planned 60-day talks.
“The agreement is entirely based on implementation and objective guarantees,” he said.
Iran warns foreign military over Hormuz interference
Iran warned on Saturday that any military vessel attempting to interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz or disrupt maritime traffic would be targeted by the country’s armed forces.
According to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, the statement was issued by Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the country’s highest joint military command coordinating operations between the armed forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The headquarters said management of the strategic waterway is being controlled “with full authority” by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
It said all commercial vessels, ships, and oil tankers are required to transit through designated routes and obtain authorization from the IRGC Navy.
The statement warned that any violation of the regulations could seriously jeopardize the security of vessels.
It also warned foreign military vessels against interfering in Iran’s management of the Strait of Hormuz or disrupting navigation in the waterway.
“Any attempt by military vessels to interfere in the management of the Strait of Hormuz or disrupt navigation will be targeted by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the statement said.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, carrying a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Earlier Saturday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth rejected Iran’s assertion that it controls the Strait of Hormuz, saying: “They want to say that they control the strait, but we do.” He added that developments behind the scenes and the course of negotiations show that the United States remains in control of the strategic waterway.
US military attacks Iran-bound ship with Hellfire missile
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) says forces have “disabled” a Gambia-flagged ship attempting to sail towards an Iranian port.
Posting on X, CENTCOM said forces “observed M/V Lian Star transiting international waters toward an Iranian port on the Gulf of Oman and issued more than 20 warnings while informing the vessel it was in violation of the US blockade”.
“A US aircraft disabled the vessel by firing a Hellfire missile into the ship’s engine room after Lian Star’s crew failed to comply. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran.”
US forces have disabled five commercial vessels and redirected 116 to fully enforce the blockade, CENTCOM said.
Source: Express Tribune
