‘Honour the deal, and we will reciprocate’: Iran tells US

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Tehran will “immediately” reciprocate if the United States returns to its commitments under an interim agreement signed in June, as fresh exchanges of attacks between the two sides fuel fears of further escalation.

Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Bishkek, Pezeshkian said Iran remained ready to uphold its commitments if Washington honoured the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding.

“I am stating clearly that if the U.S. returns to its commitments under the Memorandum of Understanding, the Islamic Republic of Iran will immediately reciprocate,” Pezeshkian was quoted as saying by Iranian state media.

The interim agreement, signed in June, was intended to help end the conflict between Tehran and Washington and secure the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. However, the deal quickly unravelled amid disagreements over its implementation, Reuters and Al Jazeera reported.

Tehran has repeatedly said it would allow free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for global oil supplies, only if Washington implements the terms of the agreement.

Pezeshkian also said war was in no one’s interest and stressed that Tehran remained open to a negotiated settlement with Washington.

His remarks came after the first direct exchange of attacks between the United States and Iran since late July. The US struck Iran’s Larak Island, after which Tehran launched attacks on two US air bases in Jordan.

US President Donald Trump said there would be a response to the Iranian attacks but indicated that the renewed strikes did not necessarily signal a return to full-scale war.