Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has issued a stark condemnation of the United States, accusing Washington of committing “major violations” of the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and declaring that the “era of bullying and extortion” by America has reached its end.
In a series of posts on social media platform X late Tuesday, Qalibaf outlined four specific breaches he attributed to the US, including interference in the Strait of Hormuz, the reimposition of oil sanctions, military strikes on southern Iran, and continued support for Israeli military operations in Lebanon.
“Major MoU violations by the US: [1.] Violating Iranian adjustments in the Strait, [2.] Reinstating oil sanctions, [3.] Attacks on southern Iran, [4.] Continued Zionist aggression on Lebanon,” Qalibaf wrote. “The era of bullying and extortion is over. It leads nowhere. We don’t fold.”
The remarks come amid escalating tensions in the region, with Iranian media reporting multiple explosions near Sirik County and Qeshm Island in the southern Hormozgan Province. US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed in a statement that it had “completed a new round of offensive strikes against Iran, July 7, hitting over 80 targets with precision munitions.”
A Fractured Agreement
The Iran-US Memorandum of Understanding, brokered by Pakistan and signed on July 17, 2025, was intended to establish a permanent cessation of hostilities across all fronts. The 14-point agreement mandated that Iran ensure toll-free passage for commercial vessels for at least 60 days, with full restoration of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days, while both sides committed to further negotiations on a final agreement within 60 days.
However, Iranian officials now assert that Washington has systematically undermined the accord. Tehran maintains that its increased control over the Strait of Hormuz—a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments—is a legitimate response to what it describes as an illegal US naval blockade of Iranian ports and vessels, implemented despite an existing ceasefire.
“The strategic waterway will never return to its pre-war conditions,” an Iranian military statement emphasized, “and will be administered by the Islamic Republic in accordance with international law.”
Diplomatic and Military Responses
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, echoed Qalibaf’s sentiments in a separate post on X early Wednesday, asserting that over the past three weeks the US had repeatedly violated Articles 1 and 2 of the MoU through Israeli actions in Lebanon and threatening statements directed at Iran.
” Iran, while issuing a serious warning about the consequences of the United States breach of its commitments, will take decisive measures to safeguard its national interests and national security,” Gharibabadi stressed.
Meanwhile, Iran’s top military command, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, has vowed a “crushing response” to what it terms “American terrorism.” In a forceful statement, the command reiterated that the “only safe passage for commercial vessels and oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz is the route designated by the Islamic Republic,” promising that US aggression would not go unanswered.
The developments unfold against a backdrop of a massive mural in Tehran’s Enghelab Square bearing the message: “You will kneel before Iran again” a visual testament to the Islamic Republic’s unyielding stance as tensions with Washington continue to escalate.
Source: Iranian media and Agencies (translated and edited by Al-Manar)