Iran offers to reciprocate if US returns to June deal

Bishkek, September 1 — In a statement at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that Tehran would reciprocate if the United States returned to a June deal aimed at ending their conflict. According to the Iranian presidency's website, Pezeshkian stated unequivocally that if the U.S. complied with its commitments under the memorandum of understanding, Iran would immediately take reciprocal action.

The memorandum of understanding had been designed to cease the hostilities that erupted between Tehran and Washington in late February, following US and Israeli strikes that resulted in the death of former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, the agreement soon fell apart as both parties alleged violations of its terms.

Pezeshkian's remarks were made as the Strait of Hormuz remained a focal point of contention between Iran and the U.S., with both nations having exchanged fire on Monday after a month-long period of relative peace. Iran has steadfastly maintained its blockade of the crucial waterway, asserting it would comply with the deal's terms, which included reopening Hormuz if the U.S. did the same.

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi emphasized that "the United States must return to its commitments and to what their president signed" under the agreement, adding that "in that case, everything can be put back on the right track."