Iran has officially announced the suspension of its commitments under the memorandum of understanding, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi making the announcement to Iran's Fars News Agency. According to reports from Fars News Agency, Gharibabadi stated that Washington had 'violated and suspended all its commitments' under the framework of the Islamabad MoU, prompting Tehran to halt its own obligations under the pact. As reported by Middle East Eye, Gharibabadi emphasized that 'The US has violated and suspended all its commitments within the framework of the Islamabad MoU', with Iran consequently suspending the implementation of the agreement. The announcement marks Tehran's clearest statement yet that it no longer considered itself bound by the Pakistan-mediated agreement, which was signed in June to end hostilities between Washington and Tehran.
Gharibabadi emphasized that Iran's immediate priority remains national defense amid the ongoing conflict. As reported by Fars News Agency, he stated that 'We have suspended our commitments and implementation of the agreement and are busy defending the country'. The suspension comes as tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate following a series of military strikes, with both sides trading accusations of violating existing understandings and international commitments. According to Middle East Eye, Gharibabadi added that 'We also likewise have suspended all of our commitments as a result; we are no longer implementing those commitments', who also heads Iran's technical negotiating team. This represents a clear prioritization of domestic security concerns over diplomatic obligations as the conflict intensifies.
The suspension of Iran's commitments could complicate any future efforts to revive dialogue or establish de-escalation mechanisms, as both Washington and Tehran remain locked in an increasingly confrontational standoff. According to the reports, there has been no immediate response from US officials to Gharibabadi's allegations. The latest development adds another layer of uncertainty to the already volatile security situation in the region, with concerns mounting over the potential for further escalation if diplomatic channels remain stalled. Recent developments show US strikes overnight damaged a desalination facility in Iran, disrupting drinking water supplies to about 10,000 people, while Bahraini authorities repeatedly sounded air raid sirens, and Kuwaiti forces said they were intercepting incoming missiles and drones. Additionally, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is condemning Iran's latest attacks on Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, calling them a 'flagrant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the targeted countries'.
The 14-point Islamabad MoU, which was signed in June, included provisions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, lift the US naval blockade and begin a phased de-escalation after weeks of fighting. According to Middle East Eye, Iran's health ministry reported that US attacks since 6 July had killed at least 50 people and wounded more than 500, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned countries hosting US forces of a 'corresponding response'. The conflict appears to have entered a new phase as military exchanges between the two countries continue, with both sides trading accusations of violating existing understandings and international commitments. This escalation comes despite the original agreement's provisions for de-escalation and restoration of normal diplomatic relations.
