Iran lays out conditions to end war with US, warns of stronger response

Tehran, Sep 20 (UNI) Iran's top security official Mohsen Rezaei has laid out Tehran's latest conditions for ending its war with the United States, while warning that Iran is prepared to respond with greater force if Washington resumes military action.

Iran had conveyed its conditions to the United States through Qatari mediators and is now better prepared for a renewed conflict than it was during the first 40 days of the war, which began in late February following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, Rezaei said during interview to Al Jazeera "We will confront America with greater force, and with more numerous and more painful strikes," Rezaei said.

The full-scale fighting has been paused for months, but tensions between the two sides remain high. A June 17 60-day memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the US and Iran expired last month, while attacks have increased, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed. The United States continues to maintain a naval blockade of Iran's southern ports.

Iran's latest conditions include an end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon; the release of its frozen funds; an end to the naval blockade on Iranian ports; an end to US interference in Iran's internal affairs; an end to US cooperation with "the opponents of our revolution"; and an end to all US attacks on Iranian territory. "It is in Washington's interest to accept these conditions. Trump's threats will not achieve any results. We are prepared for a decisive war," Rezaei said. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Sunday reiterated Tehran's position on the Strait of Hormuz, saying the waterway would remain closed until the United States fulfilled its commitments.

"Until these conditions are met, the legitimate rights of the Iranian nation are recognised, and American commitments are fulfilled, there will be no opening for a return to the previous state of negotiations or for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz," Ghalibaf said. Iran's latest demands are those which are part of the MoU signed in June that included an end to the war on all fronts, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, an end to the naval blockade by both sides and the release of Iran's frozen funds.

The MoU also envisaged a $300 billion US-backed reconstruction plan, while Iran agreed not to procure or develop nuclear weapons and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for the safe passage of vessels. The agreement also called for US waivers for Iranian crude oil exports and other services, no new sanctions on Iran and no deployment of additional US forces in the region.

The important factor is, Rezaei did not mention war reparations from the United States, which Tehran had previously demanded. On Iran's nuclear programme, Rezaei said Tehran could consider withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty following US and Israeli attacks, although Iran has not withdrawn from the treaty so far.He also said Iran was considering a possible withdrawal from the NPT, with the decision depending on US actions "We were indeed threatened, but we have not withdrawn from the treaty to this day," he said. Rezaei said Iran continues to abide by a fatwa issued by former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei banning nuclear weapons, but added that the situation could change depending on future sanctions or a UN Security Council referral of Iran's nuclear file.

On Yemen, Rezaei denied Iranian involvement in the intensifying conflict and said Tehran is prepared to mediate between the warring sides. "We are fully prepared to help achieve peace between Yemen and Saudi Arabia," he said. He also rejected speculation that Iran could close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait to pressure global energy markets, saying the waterway "is a Yemeni matter" linked to the Houthi movement and not Iran.

On the Strait of Hormuz, Rezaei said Tehran had come within "a short step" of announcing a deal with Oman to manage the waterway, but suggested that regional endorsement might be required before the agreement could be made public. Rezaei also said Iran was fully prepared for a renewed conflict and claimed Tehran had enhanced its military capabilities since the earlier fighting.

"We have fully prepared ourselves for a decisive war, and the US's military vulnerabilities are completely known to us. And we are far better prepared this time," he said. "Therefore, we are fully prepared," he added, saying that if the United States resumed military action, Iran would respond with a more powerful and painful blow. Rezaei further said Iran's attacks on US bases in neighbouring countries had targeted American assets rather than the territory of those countries, and urged regional states not to join Washington's economic campaign against Tehran.

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