Iran says deal to end Mideast war ‘declaration of US defeat’

Iran on Wednesday framed a recently concluded deal to end the Middle East war as a significant victory, declaring it a "declaration of America's defeat." The agreement, finalized through Pakistan's mediation, saw Iran's leadership transformed but its ruling system intact.

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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.

Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated the "Islamabad understanding" resulted from national "resistance and authority," not pressure. He asserted that regional security should be managed by Middle Eastern countries themselves. This comes as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a tour of Gulf nations, aiming to reassure allies concerned about Iran's regional influence.

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That is why, the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding became a declaration of America's defeat.

Rubio's itinerary included the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain, where he planned to discuss the US-Iran memorandum of understanding. This deal notably omits discussion of Iran's missile program and proxies, key concerns for Gulf nations and Israel. Rubio also reiterated that international waterways, like the Strait of Hormuz, cannot be subject to tolls, a point of contention after Oman and Iran considered charging navigation fees.

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It’s an international waterway. No country is allowed to charge tolls or fees on an international waterway. That’s existing international law.

Despite US diplomatic efforts, Iran's stance suggests a preference for regional cooperation over alignment with the West. Ghalibaf expressed a vision for the region based on "interaction and coexistence" rather than confrontation. He also emphasized that peace in Lebanon, which was drawn into the recent conflict, is crucial for a definitive agreement with the US, equating its importance to a ceasefire within Iran.

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We see the future of the region not in confrontation but in interaction and not in elimination but in coexistence.