TEHRAN, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tuesday that Iran's delegation, comprising experts, will hold talks with Qatari officials on Wednesday on the release of Iran's frozen assets in Qatar under a recently signed peace memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Tehran and Washington.
Speaking at a weekly press conference in Tehran, Baghaei said the Doha talks will focus on implementing certain provisions of the MoU, including Paragraph 11 that pertains to the release of Iran's frozen assets.
He added that all necessary preparations have been made, expressing hope that the work will proceed properly and the desired result will be achieved.
Baghaei stressed that what's important to Iran is gaining access to its funds and using them as it sees fit to purchase what the country needs.
He also confirmed that no meetings with U.S. officials at any level have been scheduled for the coming days.
Commenting on the start of high-level negotiations with the United States on reaching a final agreement, Baghaei said it hinges on the start and continuation of implementing key MoU provisions, including ending the war on all fronts, lifting the U.S. naval blockade, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, issuing U.S. waivers for Iran's crude oil exports, and releasing Iranian frozen assets.
He added that the implementation of some paragraphs has already begun and is continuing. "We will have to evaluate the ongoing process in the coming days and then decide how and when to start the negotiations to reach the final agreement," he said.
Baghaei underlined that no commitment under the MoU is supposed to be fulfilled unilaterally, saying, "The principle of commitment for commitment means that we will implement our commitments as long as the other party implements its obligations."
He emphasized that the MoU text is Iran's criterion for evaluating the U.S. commitment to its obligations, calling on the United States to remain committed to its obligations and do whatever is necessary to stop Israel's "crimes" in Lebanon.
On the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian spokesperson said there is no need for outside interference in the strait, as it would only complicate matters, noting that Tehran is determined to maintain its right to manage the strait.
On June 18, Iran and the United States signed the MoU on ending the war in the region on all fronts, including Lebanon.
On June 22, technical negotiations between Iran and the United States began in Switzerland, following high-level consultations between Iranian and U.S. delegations the previous day, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar. ■
