Iran Says Open for “Real” Negotiations with U.S.
Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told media in a late-night interview that his nation stands prepared for dialogue, though he expressed deep skepticism about Washington's true intentions. "We are ready for negotiations," Ghalibaf confirmed, before qualifying his statement: "We do not believe this is the kind of dialogue the American president is seeking."
The Iranian official stressed that discussions would only proceed "only if they are real, not imposed by force," drawing a hard line against what Tehran perceives as coercive diplomacy.
Ghalibaf leveled accusations at the United States, charging that American forces sabotaged diplomatic efforts through military action. According to the speaker, the US "bombed the negotiating table two days before the sixth round of talks with Iran," effectively destroying momentum toward a peaceful resolution.
Economic guarantees emerged as a non-negotiable precondition for Iranian participation in any future discussions. "As long as the economic interests of the Iranian people are not guaranteed, there will be no negotiations," Ghalibaf insisted, adding a pointed rejection of one-sided demands: "We do not consider dictation to be negotiation."
The parliamentary chief cautioned that attempting dialogue while deploying military assets would prove counterproductive and dangerous. "Negotiations in the shadow of war fuel tensions," he warned, suggesting such an approach could escalate rather than defuse the crisis.
Taking direct aim at Trump's motivations, Ghalibaf offered biting advice: "If Trump wants a Nobel Peace Prize, he should distance himself from the warmongers and the advocates of surrender around him."
His comments arrived in response to Trump's recent declaration that a "massive armada" was en route to Iran, paired with the president's demand that Tehran "come to the table" for negotiations—a combination of military posturing and diplomatic outreach that Iranian leadership views as fundamentally contradictory.
Iranian authorities have fired back with threats of armed retaliation and warfare should hostilities commence, while simultaneously maintaining their position that talks remain possible under equitable, pressure-free conditions.
Domestic unrest has compounded the regime's challenges since December 28, when demonstrators flooded Tehran's Grand Bazaar protesting the Iranian rial's dramatic devaluation and deteriorating economic circumstances. The demonstrations subsequently expanded to multiple urban centers across the country.
Iranian officials have pointed fingers at the US and Israel, alleging both nations are supporting "armed rioters" to manufacture justification for foreign military intervention. Authorities have issued warnings that any American military strike would trigger a "swift and comprehensive" response.
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