Iranian Negotiator Calls US-Iran Deal a 'Record of Failure' for Washington

Iran's top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, has described the recently signed peace deal between the United States and Iran as a 'record of failure' for Washington. Speaking on state television after both sides released the memorandums of understanding, Ghalibaf said: 'The agreement is a record of US failure. People will see it and judge.' He added that Iran is engaging diplomatically from a 'position of strength.'

The deal, signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, aims to end months of hostilities in the Middle East. The signing took place at the Palace of Versailles following a G7 summit, with French President Emmanuel Macron present. The 14-point agreement includes an immediate cessation of military operations, including in Lebanon, and commits both countries to finalise a comprehensive accord within 60 days.

Ghalibaf emphasised that Iran's battlefield successes strengthened its negotiating hand. 'Every war that ends in victory, if it does not ultimately lead to a legal and political document and those victories are not recorded, will bring no benefit,' he said.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments, Ghalibaf stated that conditions would not revert to pre-war norms. Under the memorandum, Iran will charge fees for vessels passing through the strait after an initial 60-day fee-free period. 'Strait of Hormuz will not return to pre-war conditions. Iran has the right to sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and of course we will receive a fee for services,' he said.

The agreement also provides for the removal of the US naval blockade, safe passage of commercial vessels, phased sanctions relief, release of frozen Iranian assets, and a US-backed economic development programme for Iran worth at least USD 300 billion. Iran has reaffirmed its commitment not to develop or acquire nuclear weapons, with future discussions on enriched uranium stockpiles to be supervised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

President Trump, moments before signing, remarked, 'This was not easy — that I can tell you.' The Iranian Embassy in India shared images of President Pezeshkian holding the signed deal. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said, 'The text of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding was finalised with the signatures of the presidents — now it is time to test the implementation of the agreement.'