Tehran Condemns US Stance on Negotiations
TEHRAN — Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stated that Iran will not enter negotiations with the United States under threat, while warning that Tehran has developed new battlefield options in recent weeks. In a post on X, he accused Washington of trying to turn diplomacy into “a table of surrender” through pressure tactics and alleged ceasefire violations.
Moreover, Qalibaf argued that US President Donald Trump’s approach reflects an attempt to justify renewed conflict rather than pursue genuine dialogue. Consequently, he said Iran rejects any negotiations conducted under coercion and remains firm in its position.
At the same time, tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel have escalated following a large-scale military campaign earlier this year. According to Iranian accounts, the strikes targeted military and civilian sites, resulting in significant casualties and infrastructure damage. In response, Iranian forces carried out retaliatory missile and drone attacks against regional positions linked to US and Israeli interests.
Diplomacy Uncertain as Ceasefire Holds Fragile
Meanwhile, a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire briefly paused hostilities on April 8, although stability remains fragile. As a result, diplomatic efforts continue but face major obstacles.
In addition, Iranian officials have not yet confirmed participation in a second round of talks scheduled in Islamabad. They cite what they describe as contradictory US actions, including naval pressure and restrictions affecting Iranian assets, as key concerns.
Overall, while backchannel diplomacy remains active, mistrust between the parties continues to limit progress toward a durable agreement, leaving the region on edge.
