TEHRAN, Jun 24: Iran called the deal to end the Middle East war "a declaration of America's defeat" on Wednesday, as the top US diplomat renewed his country's commitment to UAE security during a tour of the Gulf.
The war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 ended with the Islamic republic striking an agreement it has portrayed as a victory.
The conflict sowed chaos in the region, with Tehran retaliating by blockading a key waterway for energy shipments and launching thousands of drones and missiles at its Gulf neighbours and Israel.
The US and Iran signed the agreement last week and launched a process aimed at reaching a permanent settlement -- with the Islamic republic's leadership transformed but the system of rule firmly in place.
"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," Iran's top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Wednesday of the deal, which was finalised through Pakistan's mediation.
"That is why, the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding became a declaration of America's defeat," he said, adding that security in the Middle East must be ensured by the countries of the region.
The US maintains troops in military bases across the Middle East, notably in the Gulf where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio kicked off a tour on Wednesday in a bid to reassure allies.
Rubio arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and held talks with its leader, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. From there, he is due to fly to Kuwait and then Bahrain, where he will attend a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting.
Rubio is seeking to reassure the close allies, who were hit hard by Iran during the war, about the memorandum of understanding, which fails to address some of the Gulf's long-standing concerns about Iran's missile programme and proxies.
"They discussed President Trump's memorandum of understanding with Iran, efforts to secure full and safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, and the importance of peace and stability in the region," Rubio's spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.
Rubio "thanked the UAE for their leadership and unparalleled support, praised their courage and resilience in the face of Iran's attacks, and reaffirmed the US commitment to the security of the Emirates", Pigott added.
Iran has said it plans to charge what it calls maritime service fees for crossing the strait, as opposed to tolls, a plan fiercely opposed by the United States."AFP
