Brussels: Iran’s Parliament Speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Monday: that diplomacy is essential to securing the political and legal gains of military achievements, stressing that Lebanon’s sovereignty over its entire territory ‘must be fully restored.’
According to Anadolu Agency, Qalibaf’s statements, broadcast by Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, expressed hope that ongoing negotiations would ultimately secure Lebanon’s full sovereignty. He emphasized the importance of diplomacy in consolidating military successes into lasting legal and political outcomes. Qalibaf argued that without diplomatic efforts, the sacrifices and costs incurred on the battlefield would not lead to final results.
He further described negotiations as a method and continuation of struggle, highlighting the complementary nature of military action and diplomacy. Qalibaf pointed to the recently signed Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the US, which aims to end the war ‘in Iran and among its allies,’ as an example of this synergy.
Qalibaf noted that while hostilities had ceased on Iranian territory, tensions persisted in the Strait of Hormuz due to naval restrictions, which he described as ‘a form of war.’ In contrast, developments in Lebanon saw continued Israeli military operations despite the broader diplomatic framework, leading to missile exchanges between Iran-backed forces and Israel.
He accused Israel of opposing the negotiation process, claiming they sought to sabotage it out of fear of destruction. Qalibaf credited Iran’s participation in Switzerland talks for helping to reduce fighting intensity in Lebanon and securing a halt in hostilities within two days. The talks led to an understanding that both Iran and the US would guarantee Lebanon’s territorial integrity, with a coordination center established to oversee implementation, repatriate displaced residents, and secure Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
On the Strait of Hormuz, Qalibaf stated that its administration would remain under Iranian management while respecting international law. A 30-day direct hotline was agreed upon to resolve maritime disputes and incidents, though it would not grant passage authorization.
Qalibaf also highlighted economic aspects of the memorandum, including the release of $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets and a suspension of oil sanctions under an interim arrangement. He noted that while a final agreement has not been reached and wider sanctions remain, the memorandum provides a framework for monitoring implementation over the next 60 days, with further meetings planned between Iranian and US delegations.
The remarks followed 18 hours of Iran-US negotiations in Switzerland, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, aimed at resolving unresolved provisions of the memorandum, including ending hostilities in Lebanon. Lebanon has suffered significant casualties and displacement due to the ongoing Israeli military offensive, which has killed over 4,000 people and displaced more than 1 million since March 2, according to Lebanese authorities. Israel continues to occupy areas in southern Lebanon, some held for decades and others seized during the 2023-2024 war.