Iran: Blockade will be considered a ceasefire violation

Iran's Supreme National Security Council has issued a written statement regarding the negotiations conducted with the US, the ceasefire process, and the latest situation concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

The statement noted that the US had requested a ceasefire and negotiations starting from the 10th day of the war, and that on the 40th day of the war, talks began in Islamabad under the mediation of Pakistan after Iran's 10-point plan was accepted as the framework for negotiations.

The statement expressed that the negotiations lasted for 21 hours without interruption, but the US side introduced new and "excessive demands" during the process, stating, "The Iranian delegation has resolutely defended the demands of the people, and it has been clearly shown to the other side that there will be no step back under any circumstances. For this reason, the talks ended without a concrete result, and the continuation of the negotiations was left to a later time."

"No step back will be taken"

The statement, which conveyed that new proposals were transmitted by the US in recent days alongside the visit of Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir to Tehran, used the following expressions: "Iran is evaluating these proposals and has not yet provided a response. The negotiating team, which has entered the political struggle process with the support of the people, unwavering will, and the backing of military power on the ground, will not make any concessions or take any steps back in order to consolidate the gains achieved in this war, and will resolutely defend the interests of the Iranian nation and the blood shed for the sake of independence and honor."

Emphasis on ceasefire and the Strait of Hormuz

The statement indicated that one of the preconditions for a temporary ceasefire was the cessation of fire on all fronts, especially in Lebanon, stating, "However, the Zionist regime has violated the ceasefire from the beginning with its attacks on Lebanon and Hezbollah. As a result of Iran's insistence, the aforementioned regime was forced to accept a ceasefire in Lebanon, and it was decided that, provided the enemy complies with the ceasefire on all fronts, the Strait of Hormuz would be temporarily opened only to commercial vessels during the ceasefire period, that military vessels and civilian ships belonging to enemy countries would not be allowed to pass, and that passages would be made from routes determined by Iran under the control and permission of the Armed Forces."

"Blockade will be considered a ceasefire violation"

The statement argued that the US military bases in the region are largely supported via Hormuz, stating, "This situation poses a threat to Iran and regional security. For this reason, Iran is determined to monitor passages in the strait until the war ends completely and a lasting peace is achieved. In this context, detailed information will be obtained from ships, passage permits will be granted within the framework of established rules, fees will be collected in exchange for security, safety, and environmental protection services, and passages will only be made from designated routes. Furthermore, as long as the enemy continues to implement methods such as disrupting ship traffic and naval blockades, Iran will consider this a violation of the ceasefire and will prevent the conditional and limited opening of the Strait of Hormuz."