Iran calls on US to honor June framework deal

Iran on Saturday called on the US to abide by the framework deal the countries reached this June, saying the Pakistani-brokered pact represents a sovereign decision approved by the country’s highest leadership.

Interior Ministry spokesman Ali Zainvand made the remarks while commenting on a possible visit to Tehran by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, according to Iranian state TV.

“A large number of countries are making efforts to resolve this issue and bring the parties back to the point of understanding,” said Zainvand.

He said Pakistan’s mediation role and other diplomatic initiatives are continuing strenuously.

“International diplomatic efforts and mediation are still underway to resolve the problems and return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding,” he added, using the deal’s official name.

“The other side must respect the value of its signature and adhere to the provisions of the agreement. The US must abide by the terms of the Islamabad agreement,” he said.

The spokesman said the memorandum represented a major sovereign decision for Iran and got approval from the country’s senior leadership.

“Our demand is for the other side to return to this agreement,” he added.

Reports have said Naqvi, who has been involved in mediation between Washington and Tehran, could visit the Iranian capital again in the coming days.

The US and Israel launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28, after which Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important waterways for oil and gas exports.

Washington and Tehran signed the framework deal on June 17, providing for a halt to military operations and arrangements to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to navigation.

But implementation stalled amid disputes over its terms and navigation through the strait, before fighting resumed in July.