Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has stated that Iran's nuclear rights and red lines are non-negotiable, and Tehran will not proceed to the next stage of negotiations until key commitments under its 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States are fulfilled, including ending the war in Lebanon.
Nuclear Programme Within NPT Framework
Speaking in a television interview on Tuesday, Ghalibaf said Iran's nuclear programme remains within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) supervision. He emphasised that enrichment is Iran's right and that NPT obligations are being observed, but nuclear rights and red lines are non-negotiable components of the Islamic Republic's power and a guarantee against American excesses.
JCPOA Experience Cited
Questioning the effectiveness of international guarantees, Ghalibaf pointed to Iran's experience with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the 2015 nuclear deal. He noted that even ratification by the UN Security Council did not create an executive guarantee, as the JCPOA experience has shown.
MoU Commitments on Lebanon
Regarding the MoU with the United States, Ghalibaf said Washington committed to ending the war in Lebanon. Article 1 of the memorandum states that the US guarantees the end of military operations in Lebanon, the return of people to their land, and the prevalence of Lebanon's national sovereignty over its territory. He described this as a very big victory that must be achieved, and Iran is pursuing its definitive implementation.
Ghalibaf also said Iran remains committed to ensuring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with the MoU and expects the United States to do the same. He warned that Iran is prepared for escalation if commitments are not honoured, stating, "We are also in talks, and if they do not want to fulfil their commitments in the talks, we are ready for war."
Joint Committee Overseeing Implementation
A joint committee comprising representatives from Iran and the United States has been formed to oversee implementation of the Lebanon-related provisions. Ghalibaf said talks will continue until the five key clauses are fully implemented. He noted that relative calm has been established in Lebanon, but follow-up is serious, and Iran will not enter the next stage of implementing other clauses until these five clauses are consolidated and finalised.
Referring to the situation in Lebanon, Ghalibaf said Israel continues to occupy parts of southern Lebanon, although attacks have declined since the agreement. He accused US Secretary of State Marco Rubio of attempting to normalise Lebanon's relations with Israel, which he said is contrary to the MoU that preserves Lebanon's independence.
Conditions for Next Phase
Ghalibaf reiterated that Tehran will not move to the next phase until key provisions are implemented, including the end of the war on all fronts, the gradual opening of the Strait of Hormuz, the possibility of exporting oil and oil derivatives, and the liberation of resources. Until these commitments are fulfilled, the Islamic Republic will not enter into negotiations.
