Iran has labeled U.S. airstrikes and the restoration of oil sanctions as violations of the existing memorandum of understanding (MOU) and has warned of a strong response.
Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated on July 8 via X (formerly Twitter) that "the MOU between Iran and the U.S. was established not on trust but on a clear obligation-to-obligation basis."
Baghaei explained that Article 5 of the MOU explicitly states that ensuring the safety of vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz is Iran's responsibility. He asserted that the U.S. airstrikes and the restoration of oil sanctions effectively constitute a complete violation of the MOU.
Quoting a verse from the Quran, he emphasized that "Iran will resolutely protect its national interests and exercise its sovereignty," suggesting the possibility of further retaliatory actions.
Previously, in response to attacks on three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. forces targeted over 80 sites in Iran. The strikes included air defense systems, command and control facilities, coastal radar, and anti-ship missile capabilities.
Alongside military actions, the U.S. has reinstated sanctions. The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) revoked a temporary general license that had allowed for the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian oil.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has claimed that it targeted U.S. military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait in retaliation. As the cycle of retaliation continues, the ceasefire that had been in place since last month following the MOU now faces a critical juncture.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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