IRAN WAR: Iran says deal to end war 'declaration of America's defeat'
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Iran called the deal it struck to end the Middle East war “a declaration of America’s defeat” on Wednesday, as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio kicked off a tour of Gulf countries hit hardest by Tehran.
Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding became a declaration of America’s defeat” while adding that security in the Middle East must be ensured by countries of the region.
Last week, the U.S. and Iran signed the agreement and launched a process aimed at reaching a permanent settlement — with the Islamic republic’s leadership transformed but the system of rule firmly in place.
Rubio is currently touring the Middle East, meeting with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday before heading to Kuwait and Bahrain to sell the countries on the Iran peace deal.
Here’s the latest on the Iran war on Wednesday:
Israel won’t pull out of Lebanon, says defence minister
Isreali Defence Minister Israeli Katz said the country will not withdraw its military forces from southern Lebanon “even if there is an American demand.”
“Two hundred thousand residents will not return,” said Katz, referring to the Lebanese people displaced by force by Israel’s invasion and attacks, in comments to The Times of Israel.
“What happened in the past in security zones, where there was also a civilian population [present], was roadside bombs and attacks against the soldiers, and therefore we will not allow that,” added Katz. “We are not withdrawing.”
Deal to end war ‘declaration of America’s defeat,’ says Iran
Iran called the deal it struck to end the Middle East war “a declaration of America’s defeat” on Wednesday, as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio kicked off a tour of Gulf countries hit hardest by Tehran, AFP reported.
The U.S. and Iran signed the agreement last week and launched a process aimed at reaching a permanent settlement — with the Islamic republic’s leadership transformed but the system of rule firmly in place.
“The Islamabad understanding was not the result of pressure and coercion, but rather the result of the resistance and authority of the brave Iranian nation,” Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s top negotiator, said Wednesday of the deal, which was finalized through Pakistan’s mediation.
“That is why, the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding became a declaration of America’s defeat,” he said, noting security in the Middle East must be ensured by the countries of the region.
The U.S. maintains several military bases across the Middle East, notably in the Gulf, where Rubio kicked off a tour on Wednesday in a bid to reassure allies.
Ghalibaf also reiterated that peace in Lebanon was a key pillar of reaching an agreement with the U.S.
“For us, the ceasefire in Lebanon has been and is as important as the ceasefire in Iran, and the end of the war in Lebanon has been as important as the end of the war in Iran,” he said.
UN watchdog to inspect Iranian nuclear sites, but when?
The International Atomic Energy Agency will inspect nuclear sites in Iran under the terms of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the U.S., but it’s unknown when it will happen.
Rafael Grossi, director general of the IAEA, told reporters in Japan on Wednesday: “Whether this happens the day after tomorrow or in one week or in ten days, it’s important, but not essential.”
“This is going to happen. Of course, if they want to comply with the agreement. If they don’t want, it’s another matter,” Grossi added, per ABC News .
Grossi said a term in the memorandum, noting it states “explicitly that the nuclear activities that are going to be carried out with the regards of the nuclear material facilities will be supervised by the IAEA.”
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran had agreed to the inspections, despite an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stating otherwise.
Rubio meets with UAE president to sell Iran agreement
U.S. Secretary of State met with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday as the U.S. looks to reassure Gulf allies about the agreement with Iran, CNN reported.
The two leaders discussed “efforts to secure full and safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement. The two also discussed the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran.
“The Secretary thanked the UAE for their leadership and unparallelled support, praised their courage and resilience in the face of Iran’s attacks, and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the security of the Emirates,” Pigott noted
Rubio has left the UAE and will visit Kuwait and Bahrain before returning to the US.