Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stated that Tehran wants to continue the diplomatic process with Washington, provided the United States is serious about respecting the agreement and ensures Israel abides by the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

“We are ready to move forward step by step, if the other party demonstrates the same seriousness,” Khatibzadeh told Al Jazeera Arabic. His comments came after planned US-Iran talks in Switzerland were called off, and US Vice President JD Vance cancelled his trip.

Earlier, mediators including Pakistan and Qatar said the two sides would meet in Burgenstock to begin negotiations on issues outlined in the MoU signed this week. Reports suggest the talks may have been cancelled due to intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Khatibzadeh denounced the latest Israeli attacks in Lebanon, saying “continued war-making” would have “serious and immediate consequences”. He said Iran seeks “peace on all fronts, including Gaza”, and noted that Lebanon was included in the MoU due to its direct connection to the conflict.

Article 1 of the MoU explicitly states that ending the war in Lebanon is integral to the broader ceasefire arrangement. “There will be no peace or stability in Lebanon and the region without ending the occupation and Israel’s commitment to international law,” Khatibzadeh added.

On the Strait of Hormuz, he said Iran will continue navigation services in coordination with Oman. After the 60-day period outlined in the agreement, a new mechanism for managing the waterway will be introduced and presented to regional countries.

Khatibzadeh also said any future agreement must include the release of all frozen Iranian funds. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said consultations through mediators are ongoing, and an official announcement will be made when conditions for negotiations are met.

Source: www.aljazeera.com