Tehran, 01 July (H.S.): Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said that Iran and the United States have appointed envoys to a Lebanon de-confliction cell, a mechanism aimed at preventing misunderstandings, avoiding military escalation, and maintaining coordination or ceasefire arrangements between opposing sides.

The appointments follow what Ghalibaf described as an agreement reached during talks between Iran and the United States in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, to establish a dedicated Lebanon De-Confliction Cell to help reduce tensions and ensure adherence to a ceasefire in Lebanon.

According to Al Jazeera, Ghalibaf made the remarks during an interview with Iran's state-run Press TV. He said Iran and Oman had already reached an agreement covering all legal and service-related matters concerning the administration of maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz.

Ghalibaf said negotiations with the United States would not move forward until five conditions outlined in the memorandum of understanding (MoU) were implemented. According to him, these conditions include ending the conflict in Lebanon, ensuring the security of Iranian oil exports, and releasing Iran's frozen financial assets.

He argued that the Iran-US memorandum of understanding is intended to safeguard Lebanon's independence while contributing to regional stability.

The Iranian Parliament Speaker described the Strait of Hormuz as Iran's greatest source of strength and reaffirmed that Tehran would maintain its sovereignty over the strategic waterway. He added that the memorandum of understanding provides only a temporary 60-day exemption from maritime service charges in the Strait.

According to the Press TV website, Ghalibaf said, These are our territorial waters. We will not allow the United States to create disputes or advance false claims that Iran has militarised the Strait of Hormuz. Iran will not retreat from this position under any circumstances. This waterway is a God-given gift to Iran.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar