Iran's Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that the long-awaited memorandum of understanding between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States has been officially finalized, marking a significant diplomatic achievement following months of negotiations.

Speaking at a press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed that the agreement, known as the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, had been digitally signed by the presidents of both countries, formally concluding the negotiation process.

"As I speak with you now, the text of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding has probably been signed by the presidents of Iran and the United States," Baghaei said, later confirming that the signing had been completed.

According to the spokesperson, both sides agreed to finalize the agreement electronically rather than through a traditional signing ceremony. He noted that the direct involvement of the two presidents elevates the political significance of the document and increases the cost of any future attempts to violate its provisions.

"When the memorandum is signed by the presidents of the two countries, violating it will have a higher cost," Baghaei stated.

Baghaei described the memorandum as the culmination of extensive negotiations and emphasized that the final text addresses all major issues discussed by the parties.

"The text of the Iran-US memorandum of understanding is now officially finalized because both parties have signed it," he said, adding that all key concerns had been fully addressed throughout the talks.

Iranian officials portrayed the agreement as a diplomatic success that safeguards the country's national interests while creating a framework for reducing tensions and advancing regional stability.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson stressed that Lebanon occupies a prominent place within the memorandum, noting that references to Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity appear repeatedly in the opening provisions of the document.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has shown that it never leaves its friends alone under any circumstances," Baghaei said.

"For us, a ceasefire and the end of the war in Lebanon were and remain as important as they are for Iran."

He emphasized that Tehran remains committed to supporting regional stability while defending the sovereignty and independence of its allies.

At the same time, Baghaei cautioned that Iran remains mindful of past experiences involving unfulfilled international commitments.

"Signing an agreement at this stage does not mean that we have forgotten the costly lessons of the past," he said. "Implementation is always more difficult than drafting agreements, particularly when dealing with parties that have previously failed to honor their obligations."

Baghaei revealed that negotiations extended beyond security and political matters and included several critical economic issues affecting the Iranian people.

According to the spokesperson, parallel discussions focused on the release of Iran's frozen assets abroad, the lifting of sanctions on the country's oil sector, and mechanisms for economic reconstruction and development.

"We did not only negotiate the memorandum," he said. "Simultaneously, we negotiated the release of Iran's blocked assets, reconstruction issues, and the lifting of oil sanctions."

The agreement reportedly contains provisions designed to facilitate sanctions relief and restore access to financial resources that Iranian officials have long argued were unjustly restricted.

Addressing ongoing developments in Lebanon, Baghaei warned that continued Israeli military operations would constitute a violation of commitments undertaken by Washington under the newly signed memorandum.

"If the Zionist regime's aggressions against Lebanon continue, it will be a violation of the counterpart's commitments in the agreement," he said.

Baghaei argued that while differences may exist between the United States and Israel regarding tactics and approaches, Washington bears responsibility for ensuring compliance with the obligations outlined in the agreement.

He accused Israel of seeking to undermine diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing regional tensions and emphasized that the United States must ensure that all parties respect the commitments contained in the memorandum.

Iranian officials have presented the agreement as an important step toward easing regional tensions, strengthening stability, and protecting the interests of the Iranian nation.

While emphasizing the need for vigilance during the implementation phase, Tehran maintains that the memorandum represents a significant diplomatic accomplishment achieved through steadfast negotiations and national unity.

With the agreement now formally signed, attention is expected to shift toward implementation, sanctions relief, regional security arrangements, and efforts to ensure that all parties fulfill their obligations under the newly established framework. (ILKHA)