Muhammad Amanullah | The True Post
Iran has strongly criticised US President Donald Trump over his remarks dismissing the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), accusing Washington of undermining diplomatic commitments and disregarding its international obligations.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Trump’s reported admission that he had never believed in the memorandum and considered it a waste of time exposed what Tehran views as the weakness of US diplomatic commitments.
In a post on the social media platform X on Wednesday, October 28, Baghaei said Washington’s approach demonstrated what he described as contempt for diplomacy. He accused the United States of repeatedly abandoning commitments when they became inconvenient.
According to Baghaei, the controversy over the Islamabad MoU was another example of what Iran considers a longstanding pattern in US foreign policy. His remarks reflected Tehran’s position that diplomatic agreements must be respected and international obligations cannot be treated as optional.
Iran Also Criticises European Countries
Baghaei extended his criticism to European countries and others he accused of defending Washington against accountability.
He argued that European states should not shield the United States from scrutiny over its conduct or excuse what Iran considers violations of diplomatic commitments.
The Iranian spokesperson maintained that international law should be applied consistently and that political explanations should not exempt any country from responsibility for its actions.
However, his public statement did not detail specific measures taken by individual European governments that, in Iran’s view, amounted to shielding Washington from accountability.
The comments underline Tehran’s effort to frame the dispute not simply as a disagreement over one memorandum, but as a broader question about the credibility of diplomatic commitments and the application of international law.
Trump Described the Islamabad MoU as a Waste of Time
The dispute followed remarks by Trump at a rally in Mississippi, where he said he had never particularly supported the ceasefire associated with the Islamabad memorandum and had considered it a waste of time.
According to reporting by Dawn, Trump said he had not liked the ceasefire and regarded it as a waste of time, adding that he had listened to professionals involved in the process. His comments prompted a sharp response from Tehran.
Related reading: Trump Defends War Against Iran, Says Military Action Should Have Begun Earlier
The Islamabad memorandum was part of diplomatic efforts to halt the conflict and establish a framework for further negotiations between Iran and the United States. The two sides have since disagreed over the implementation and interpretation of its provisions.
Iran has previously accused Washington of violating the memorandum, while disputes have continued over issues including sanctions, the Strait of Hormuz and the conditions for further negotiations.
Baghaei’s latest comments indicate that the disagreement over the memorandum remains a significant obstacle to restoring confidence between the two governments.
What the Dispute Could Mean for Diplomacy
The exchange of statements highlights the difficulties facing efforts to rebuild diplomatic trust between Tehran and Washington.
When governments disagree over the meaning, implementation or status of an agreement, the dispute can complicate negotiations and make it harder to establish common ground on unresolved issues.
For Iran, Baghaei’s statement presents the memorandum as a matter of accountability and respect for international commitments. Trump’s remarks, meanwhile, have cast doubt on the value he places on the ceasefire arrangement.
The future of the memorandum and the prospects for renewed diplomatic engagement remain uncertain. Any progress will depend on the positions adopted by both governments, the handling of outstanding disagreements and whether further diplomatic contacts can produce mutually acceptable terms.
For now, Iran has publicly challenged Washington’s approach, while the broader dispute over the Islamabad MoU continues to complicate relations between the two countries.
