Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian described the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement with the United States as a "significant achievement" and a "major victory" for his country, as it resulted in the lifting of a number of sanctions imposed on Iran.
During a meeting with religious leaders in the southern city of Qom on Monday, Pezeshkian hailed Iran's "principled stance" regarding its nuclear activities, stressing the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s previous statements that Iran does not seek to manufacture nuclear weapons, adding that Tehran remains committed to this position.
The agreement between the US and Iran, signed on 17 June, stresses that Iran must not develop or procure nuclear weapons. Over the years, Tehran has repeatedly said that its nuclear programme is for civilian use only and has no intention of developing any weapons, despite accusations by the West insisting otherwise.
In the meeting, Pezeshkian added that Tehran will offer assurances to the international community that its nuclear activities will be utilised in line with the country's needs and in accordance with its declared policies.
As the MoU enters its second week, Pezeshkian emphasised the "crucial role" of national unity in overcoming challenges, saying that had the government not managed this process, everyday Iranians would have faced far greater pressures.
The president added that the government has placed programmes to support Iranians' livelihoods on the agenda, as six billion dollars, out of a total of 12 billion dollars in Iranian assets held in Qatar, will be released, with continued efforts to recover the remaining funds.
This comes as the US and Iran have agreed to halt any further attacks following an exchange of fire late last week.
The attacks were triggered on Thursday by a reported Iranian drone attack on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, which saw US forces launch a number of strikes on Iranian military sites, including air defence and surveillance infrastructure. In retaliation, Tehran launched drone and missile attacks targeting Washington-linked military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait over the weekend, prompting anger from the Gulf countries.
The latest tit-for-tat attacks were reportedly instigated by disagreements over which routes through the Strait of Hormuz, where roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas pass through and a point of contention between the two nations, are permitted for use.
The aggression marked the highest-profile violation of the Memorandum of Understanding , since it was signed in Islamabad in mid-June.
The agreement includes a commitment from both sides to further talks to reach a final agreement over the next 60 days, and also refers to sticking issues such as Iran’s nuclear programme, the removal of sanctions, and the administration of the Strait of Hormuz, in which Iran pledged to carry out its "best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge" for at least the next 60 days. Iran denies US talks to take place following pause in attack comments On Monday, following the incidents, a US official told US media that Washington will halt "all kinetic activities," the term used for strikes and attacks, and that "both sides will stand down" and allow for vessels in the Strait of Hormuz to move freely, adding that talks to end the conflict will also continue.
The official also confirmed to Axios that talks on their latest dispute slated for this week in Doha, Qatar, will take place, as did a source familiar with the matter to Al Jazeera .
Later on Monday, Iran said otherwise, with its foreign ministry denying such talks are taking place. Iran has also not commented on the US statements regarding the decision to pause attacks.
Tehran, however, held its first meeting with Oman on Monday to manage the Strait of Hormuz, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated on X.
"While reviewing the current issues related to the strait, we exchanged views on the future management."
Oman also borders the key waterway, but under international law, the country cannot charge tolls or freeze movement despite this.
Last week, Oman said it rejected the notion of transit fees in the strait, in a statement which came during US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Gulf tour, where he met with GCC leaders to discuss the latest developments concerning Iran and the strait.
The US had previously threatened to "blow up" its ally amid disputes over control of the strait last month.