Tehran: Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, announced that the recent Iran-US memorandum of understanding was achieved under conditions of complete distrust. He emphasized that safeguarding maximum national interests remained the guiding principle of the Iranian negotiating team.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Gharibabadi, speaking in a televised interview on Monday, stressed that the agreement reflects Iran's leverage derived from its military and diplomatic strength. He noted that bringing the adversary to the negotiating table is itself the result of Iranians' power.

The diplomat explained that the memorandum was finalized after extensive negotiations involving indirect mediation by Pakistan and Qatar, with Switzerland facilitating the formal signing process. The text was subject to long and meticulous discussions, during which Iran insisted on incorporating all its final revisions, many of which were ultimately accepted. The deputy minister confirmed that the signing ceremony is scheduled for Friday, after which implementation mechanisms will gradually begin.

He underlined that Iran's commitments under the MoU are strictly conditional and reciprocal. Iran's measures will be fully aligned with the level of compliance shown by the other side, he said, adding that Tehran will closely monitor implementation and respond proportionally to any violation or failure by the United States. A 60-day negotiation period will follow the signing, focusing exclusively on the nuclear file and the lifting of sanctions, including unilateral, secondary, and international restrictions.

Gharibabadi further stated that Iran's negotiating position was anchored in both diplomatic and military deterrence. He noted that recent regional developments and responses by Iranian Armed Forces contributed to accelerating the negotiation process and shaping the final text. He emphasized that without military strength and national unity, this outcome would not have been possible.

He also confirmed that the implementation of initial US obligations, such as ending restrictions, ending hostilities, and releasing blocked Iranian assets, will be verified before Iran fully enters the next negotiation phase. Only after such verification will Tehran proceed with structured talks under the agreed framework.

Concluding his remarks, Gharibabadi reiterated that Iran's approach combines diplomacy with readiness for defense, stressing that even with agreements in place, the country remains fully prepared to counter any future threats.