Iran Military Leaders Hail Agreement with the U.S.
Iranian military leaders expressed their satisfaction on Monday regarding the recent agreement with the United States, interpreting it as a clear sign of “defeat and surrender” for the U.S.
The communication from the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command of Iran was much more aggressive than remarks made by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other civilian officials. While they acknowledged the memorandum as a success for Iran, highlighting their defense of national interests during negotiations, they also cautiously noted that celebrations would be premature until the U.S. met its obligations.
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that, after extensive discussions, Iran had accepted the terms of a memorandum that would conclude Operation Epic Fury. Notably, this agreement includes the Pentagon’s involvement, which commenced with the ousting of Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei in late February.
Throughout Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. military, with assistance from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), was involved in the targeted elimination of numerous high-ranking Iranian officials, leading to a division within the Iranian government’s civilian and militant factions. During this period, Iran initiated a blockade affecting global commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the U.S. to respond by blocking Iranian shipping, causing significant global economic disruption, especially in the fossil fuel sector.
On Sunday, Trump declared on his Truth Social account, “The agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran has been completed. Congratulations everyone! I hereby fully authorize the free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and at the same time authorize the immediate lifting of the U.S. naval blockade.”
He further urged, “Ships of the world, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”
Reports indicated that the memorandum encompassed a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Hezbollah, backed by Iran, is engaged in ongoing conflict with Israel. This situation has led to considerable displacement in Lebanon. However, the Israeli government indicated it would continue its activities in Lebanon as of Monday morning.
Yet, the deal does not guarantee an end to Trump’s primary concerns regarding Iran, particularly its nuclear ambitions. The memorandum is set to initiate 60 days of discussions aimed at addressing Iran’s nuclear activities and potentially easing significant financial sanctions.
Trump expressed that addressing the nuclear issue can be deferred for now, suggesting that there’s no rush on uranium enrichment, which remains buried after a previous U.S. airstrike.
While the memorandum is yet to be officially enacted, it is anticipated to be signed in Switzerland on Friday.
Iranian state media portrayed the announcement positively, framing the cessation of hostilities as a military triumph for Iran. The Khatam al-Anbiya military command indicated that the “humiliated American and Zionist enemies have no choice but to accept defeat and surrender.”
They also reiterated that aggression against Iran or the region would not be tolerated and emphasized that resistance is vital for victory.
The Tasnim news agency, linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), reported that Iran fought for Lebanon’s inclusion in the agreement at the last minute, despite Trump’s previous position against Israeli operations in the area.
Moreover, there’s speculation that Iran might impose tolls on vessels passing through the Strait, contrary to the agreement terms suggesting shared control with Oman. Oman, a key player in these negotiations, is unlikely to jeopardize its diplomatic relations with the U.S. through such impositions.
The tone of the Iranian military’s statements contrasted with those from the civilian government. Araghchi, involved in the negotiations, emphasized Iran’s lingering distrust of the U.S. during calls with diplomats from Turkey, Iraq, and Egypt but refrained from claiming victory or surrender.
He emphasized U.S. accountability in ensuring the memorandum’s enforcement and the cessation of Israeli actions in Lebanon. Both sides also indicated the importance of ongoing dialogues to sustain peace efforts.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Ghalibabadi acknowledged attacks during Operation Epic Fury but maintained a more subdued approach. He asserted the agreement reflects Iran’s military and diplomatic strength, pointing out that bringing adversaries to negotiations indicates Iran’s influence.
Ghalibabadi also expressed concerns about the U.S. upholding its end of the agreement, recalling previous violations of the 2015 deal. He underscored that the fulfillment of initial U.S. obligations must be verified before Iran fully engages in further discussions.
