TEHRAN, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Wednesday the country's national security is tied to maintaining "Iranian arrangements" in the administration of the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that Tehran will not allow the "enemy" to impose its will.
In a statement, Qalibaf, also the head of Iran's negotiating team, said that the United States seeks to deal blows to Iran whenever possible to advance its own interests, stressing that Iran should adopt its approaches during war or negotiations based on its national interests and security, realism, and long-term strategy.
He noted that Iran does not welcome war, "but we always must be ready for battle" to safeguard national security and interests.
Qalibaf added that diplomacy and negotiation should be pursued in parallel to ensure the national interests.
Addressing the recently signed peace memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States, which envisioned a 60-day negotiation period for a final agreement, the speaker said that the MoU is meaningful only when its provisions are honored and implemented; otherwise, if Iran is not supposed to benefit from the deal, it sees no reason to remain committed to it.
The MoU, signed on June 18 and aimed at ending the war in the region on all fronts, including Lebanon, now hangs in the balance as clashes between Iranian and U.S. forces have erupted over the past few days. ■
