‘Keep your word or pay the price’, Ghalibaf warns US

Iran’s Parliament Speaker and senior negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has delivered a stern warning amid rising tensions with the United States, declaring that the era of one-sided agreements is over and insisting that commitments must either be honored or carry consequences.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Ghalibaf wrote, “We have already said it clearly: keep your promises or pay the price.” He added that “reality is now knocking at the door,” signaling Iran’s growing frustration over what it describes as failures to uphold previous understandings.

Alongside his message, Ghalibaf shared an image of Article 5 of a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The highlighted section referred to arrangements concerning the reopening and management of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping lanes. The emphasized wording stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran would make the necessary arrangements, underscoring Tehran’s interpretation of the agreement.

The remarks came as regional tensions continue to escalate following a series of military exchanges and disputes over maritime security in the Gulf. Iranian officials have repeatedly argued that agreements governing navigation and administrative control in the Strait of Hormuz should be respected by all parties.

Ghalibaf also renewed his warning to Washington, saying that any attack against Iran would receive a firm response. His comments reinforce Tehran’s position that military pressure will not alter its strategic policies or negotiating stance.

The latest statement follows weeks of heightened confrontation between Iran and the United States, with disagreements over shipping routes, security arrangements, and the implementation of previous understandings fueling the crisis. Analysts believe the future of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz will remain a key factor in determining whether diplomatic efforts can ease tensions or whether the region faces further escalation.