IRGC: Iran will not sign any agreement under threats

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard confirmed on Wednesday that Tehran would not conclude any agreement as long as the threat of a military attack against it remains. This was reported by the Revolutionary Guard’s “Sepah News” website, citing a guard official familiar with the negotiations who requested anonymity. The official stated that the failure so far to reach an agreement in ongoing talks with the Sultanate of Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz was due to U.S. interference and threats by its president, Donald Trump. He said, “As long as U.S. interference continues and the threat of a military attack on Iran persists, reaching an agreement will be delayed. Iran will not conclude any agreement under threats.” Iran resumed its talks with the Sultanate of Oman, which borders the Strait of Hormuz, on Monday, aiming to establish safe passages for ships transiting the strait. On Tuesday evening, Ismail Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced progress in technical and political negotiations with Oman to determine safe shipping lanes in the strait. Iran and Oman share legal and geographic sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and its navigational channels. On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran, which, according to Tehran, resulted in the deaths of more than 3,000 people. Iran responded with attacks it claimed killed American and Israeli casualties. Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18 and began negotiations for a final agreement, before disagreements arose over guarantees of freedom and security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Between July 8 and 24, tensions escalated again, as the United States conducted attacks on Iran, and Tehran retaliated by targeting what it said were U.S. military facilities and equipment in Arab countries, particularly Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait.